/ 


ERRATA. 


Page   7,  line  7,  for  "  Bumford"  read  "  Bomford." 

11,  line  6  from  bottom,  for  "  125°  to  300°"  read  "  not  less  than  125®." 
20,  lines  5  and  14  from  bottom,  for  "  bands"  read  "  lands." 

20,  line  9  fi'om  bottom,  add  "  and  is  rifled  with  one  turn  in  16  feet." 

21,  line  7,  for  "  twenty-seven"  read  "  twenty-four." 

23,  line  10,  after  "dispensed  with,"  add  "  with  cast  iron  balls  sulphur  is  used." 

24,  line  8,  for  ".2607"  read  " .2607  lbs." 

36,  line  5,  for  "0.75"  read  "  .075." 

37,  line  22,  for  "plane"  read  "line."  ^ 

53,  line  25,  for  ".36  inch"  read  ".37  inch." 

54,  line  6,  for  "band"  read  "barrel." 

56,  line  14,  for  "the  size  above  mentioned"  read  "48  in.  by  14  in.  weighing 

4  lbs." 
ii,  line  8  from  bottom,  for  "  thin"  read  "  three." 
76  (table),  weight  of  6-pdr,  spherical  case,  for  "2.5  lbs."  read  "  5.5  lbs." 


THE 


FIELD  MANUAL 


FOR 


THE    USE    OF   THE   OFFICERS 


ON 


ORDNANCE  DUTY 


PREPARED   BY   THE    ORDNANCE    BUREAU. 


RICHMOND: 

PRINTED   BY  RITCfflE  &  DUNNAVANT. 
1862. 


FIELD  MANUAL. 


CHAP.  I. 
ORDNANCE. 


Ordnance  for  the  land  service  is  made  chiefly  by  private  con- 
tractors, under  the  direction  of  oflScers  of  the  Ordnance  Bureau. 
The  kinds  and  calibres  used  are  as  follows  : 


KIND 

DF  ORDNANCE. 

CALIBRE. 

MATERIAL. 

MODEL. 

Mountain  rifle,     . 

2.25-inch,     .     .     . 

Bronze,    . 

1862 

■f 

3-inch  (rifled),    ". 

Cast  iron. 

1861 

Field,      .... 

■{ 

6-pounder,  .     .     . 
12  pounder,     .     . 

Bronze,    . 

1841 

1841 

12-pounder,     .     . 

" 

Napoleon. 

Guns.    .    .    .s 

r 

4.62-inch  (rifled), 

Cast 

iron, 

1862 

Siege  and  garrison, 

) 

1 

12-pounder,     .     . 
ISpounder,     .     . 

. 

1839 
1839 

24-pounder,      .     . 

' 

1839 

Seacoast,     .    ,    . 

■I 

32-pounder,     .     . 
42-pounder,     .     . 
8-inch,     .     .     .     . 
8-inch,    .     .     .    . 

' 

1841 
1841 
1844 
1861 

COLUMBIADS,  . 

•  ' 

10-inch 

10-inch,  .... 

' 

1844 
1861 

■» 

15-inch 

" 

1862 

Mountain,    .    .    . 

12-pounder,     .     . 

Bronze,    . 

1841 

'( 

]2-pounder,     .     . 

Iron,     .     . 

1862 

Field,       .... 

•  < 

12-pounder,     .     . 

Bronze,    . 

1841 

Ho^^^TZERs.    - 

( 

24-pounder,      .     . 

" 

1844 

Garrison  and  siege. 

{ 

24-pounder,     .     . 
8-inch 

Cast 

ron. 

1841 
1841 

Seacoast,     .     ;     . 

•{ 

8-inch,    .     .     .     . 
10-inch,  .... 

, 

1841 
1841 

Siege 

■{ 

8-iuch,    .    .     .     . 
10-inch,  .... 

! 

1841 
1844 

MOJLTARS. 

Seacoast,     .     .     , 

■\ 

10-inch,  .... 
13-inch,  .... 

" 

1841 
1841 

.  Coehorn,      .     .     . 

24-pounder,     .     . 

Bronze,    . 

1841 

There  are  in  some  of  the  forts  guns  of  an  older  model  than  the 
above.     The  42-pounder  gun  and  the  8  and  10  inch  seacoast 


howitzers  are  suppressed  by  order  of  Feb.  9th,  1861.  Some  of 
the  8  and  10  inch  columbiads  have  been  rifled ;  the  first  to  a  cali- 
bre of  5.8  inch ;  the  second,  6.4  inch.  Their  frequent  bursting 
has  caused  this  class  of  rifled  gUns  to  be  discontinued.  A  few  of 
the  8  inch  siege  howitzers  were  also  rifled,  for  experiment,  with  a 
bore  of  4.62  inch. 

Guns  and  howitzers  take  their  denominations  from  the  weights 
of  their  solid  shot  in  round  numbers,  including  the  42-pounder ; 
large  pieces,  rifle  guns  and  mortars,  from  the  diameter  of  the  bore. 

Definitions. 

Cascable. — The  knob  on  the  end  of  the  breech  of  a  gun ;  it  is 
composed  of  the  knoh  and  neck ;  sometimes  the  fillet. 

Breech. — The  mass  of  solid  metal  behind  the  bottom  of  the 
bore,  extending  to  the  cascable. 

Base  of  the  breech. — The  rear  surface  of  the  breech. 

Base  line. — A  line  traced  round  the  gun  in  rear  of  the  vent. 

Base  ring. — A  projecting  band  of  metal  adjoining  the  base  of 
the  breech,  and  connected  with  the  body  of  the  gun  by  a  concave 
moulding. 

Reinforce. — The  thickest  part  of  the  body  of  the  gun,  in  front 
of  the  base  ring  or  line :  if  there  is  more  than  one  reinforce,  that 
which  is  next  to  the  base  ring  is  called  the  first  reinforce  ;  the 
other  the  second  reinforce. 

Reinforce  hand. — A  band  at  the  junction  of  the  first  and  second 
reinforces. 

Chase. — The  conical  part  of  the  gun  in  front  of  the  reinforce. 

Astragal  and  fillets. — The  moulding  at  the  front  end  of  the 
chase. 

Chase  ring. — A  band  at  the  front  end  of  the  chase. 

j^eck. — The  smallest  part  of  the  piece,  in  front  of  the  chase. 

Swell  of  the  muzzle. — The  largest  part  of  the  gun  in  front  of 
the  neck. 

Muzzle  band. — A  band  which  takes  the  place  of  the  swell  of 
the  muzzle  in  some  guns. 

Face  of  the  piece. — The  plane  terminating  the  gun  at  the  muzzle. 


Trunnions. — Two  cylinders,  near  the  centre  of  gravity  of  the 
gun,  by  which  it  is  supported  on  its  carriage.  The  axes  of  the 
trunnions  are  in  a  line  perpendicular  to  the  bore,  and  in  our  guns, 
in  the  same  plane  with  the  axis. 

Rimhase. — The  shoulder  at  the  base  of  the  trunnions. 

Bore. — All  the  part  bored  out,  including  the  chamber  and  the 
junction  of  the  bore  with  the  chamber. 

Chamber. — The  small  part  of  some  bores ;  it  col  tains  the  charge 
of  powder. 

Gomer  chaynber. — A  conical  chamber  which  is  joined  to  the 
cylinder  of  the  bore  by  a  portion  of  a  spherical  surface. 

True  luindaf^e. — The  difference  between  the  true  diameters  of 
the  bore  and  of  the  ball. 

Lock  piece. — A  block  of  metal  at  the  outer  opening  of  the  vent 
to  facilitate  attaching  a  lock  to  the  gun. 

Natural  line  of  sight. — A  line  drawn  in  a  vertical  plane  through 
the  axis  of  the  piece  from  the  highest  point  of  the  base  ring  to 
the  highest  point  of  the  swell  of  the  muzzle,  or  to  the  top  of  the 
sight,  if  there  be  one.  ^ 

Natural  angle  of  sight. — The  angle  which  the  natural  line  of 
sight  makes  with  the  axis  of  the  piece. 

Dispart. — The  difference  of  the  semi-diameters  of  the  base 
ring  and  the  swell  of  the  muzzle,  or  the  muzzle  band.  It  is 
therefore  the  tangent  of  the  natural  angle  of  sight  to  a  radius 
equal  to  the  distance  from  the  rear  of  the  base  ring  to  the  highest 
point  of  the  swell  of  the  muzzle,  the  sight,  or  the  front  of  the 
muzzle  band,  as  the  case  may  be. 

Preponderance. — The  excess  of  weight  of  the  part  in  rear  of 
the  trunnions  over  that  in  front ;  it  is  measured  by  the  weight 
which  the  breech  #)ears  on  a  balance,  the  point  of  support  resting 
at  the  rear  of  the  base  ring,  at  the  base  line,  or  at  the  bottom  of 
the  ratchet,  the  gun  being  suspended  freely  on  the  axis  of  the 
trunnions. 

Handles. — Flat  rings  cast  on  some  bronze  pieces ;  they  are 
placed  with  their  centres  over  the  centre  of  gravity  of  the  piece. 

Ear. — A  lug  of  metal  cast  on  some  mortars ;  it  is  attached  to 
a  clevis  hy  a  bolt,  and  constitutes  a  handle. 


Nomenclature. 
Guns  of  the  Model  of  1861. 

Parts. — The  bore,  a  cylinder  terminated  by  curved  surfaces, 
the  chamber.  The  breech ;  the  cascable,  the  knob,  the  neck.  The 
body  of  the  gun  ;  the  reinforce,  the  chase,  the  muzzle,  the  /ace, 
the  trunnions,  the  rimbases. 

Mouldings. — None. 

Columbiads. — Add  to  the  above  the  ratchet,  the  sight-piece. 

The  vent  is  in  the  vertical  plane  of  the  axis,  perpendicular  to  it, 
and  enters  the  bore  at  the  termination  of  the  cylinder  of  the  bore, 
or  slightly  in  front  of  it. 

Guns  of  the  Model  of  1841-44. 

The  general  difference  between  guns  of  the  model  of  1861  and 
of  1841-44,  is,  that  in  the  latter  the  vent  makes  an  angle  of  80^ 
with  the  axis  of  the  bore,  entering  the  bore  one-fourth  diameter 
of  the  bore  from  the  ifRttom,  and  that  the  latter  have  more  mould- 
ings. In  the  model  of  1861,  all  unnecessary  mouldings  are  dis- 
pensed with,  as  they  are  found  to  materially  injure  the  strength 
of  th^  gun. 

Different  kinds  of  Cannon. 

Gun. — A  gun,  technically,  is  a  heavy  cannon,  intended  to  throw 
solid  shot  with  large  charges  of  powder.  It  may  be  distinguished 
from  other  cannon  by  its  great  weight  and  length,  and  by  the  ab- 
sence of  a  chamber. 

Howitzer. — The  howitzer  is  a  cannon  employed  to  throw  large 
hollow  projectiles  with  comparatively  small  chlirges  of  powder. 
It  is  shorter,  lighter,  and  more  cylindrical  in  shape  than  a  gun  of 
the  same  calibre,  and  it  has  a  cylindrical  chamber  for  the  recep- 
tion of  powder.  The  chief  advantage  of  a  howitzer  over  a  gun 
is,  that  with  less  weight  of  piece  it  can  produce  at  short  ranges  a 
greater  effect. 

Mortar. — A  mortar  is  a  short  cannon  used  to  throw  large  hoi- 


low  projectiles  at  great  angles  of  elevation — usually  that  of  45^. 
It  has  a  chamber  generally  of  a  conical  form. 

Columhiad. — The  columbiad  combines  certain  qualities  of  the 
gun,  howitzer,  and  mortar.  It  is  a  long  (the  model  of  184^-44 
having  a  cylindrical  chamber),  heavy  piece,  capable  of  projecting 
shot  and  shells,  with  heavy  charges  of  powder,  at  high  angles  of 
elevation.  Invented  by  Col.  Bumford,  and  used  for  soUd  shot 
in  1812. 

Carronade. — A  carronade  is  a  light  cannon  about  6  cahbres 
long  in  the  bore,  weighing  about  65  times  the  weight  of  the  pro- 
jectile. It  was  formerly  much  used  on  ships  of  war.  A  car- 
ronade has  no  trunnions,  but  is  supported  on  its  carriage  by  a 
stout  bolt,  which  passes  through  a  loop  cast  on  the  under  side. 
Its  name  is  derived  from  the  Carron  foundry,  where  they  were 
first  made.     It  is  not  used  in  the  C.  S.  service. 

Rifie  cannon. — These  are  of  a  recent  date,  and  are  distinguished 
from  the  smooth  bore,  in  having  the  rifles  or  threads  of  a  female 
screw  cut  in  the  bore.     There  are  many  varieties. 

Chambers. 

Experience  shows  that  up  to  a  charge  of  powder  equal  to  one- 
seventh  of  the  weight  of  the  projectile,  and  a  length  of  bore  equal 
to  9  or  10  calibres,  a  chamber  is  advantageous  ;  but  beyond  these 
limits,  it  possesses  no  compensating  advantages. 

There  are  three  kinds  of  chambers  used  in  fire  arms :  cylin- 
drical,  conical,  or  spherical.  * 

Cylindrical  chamber. — This  is  a  cylinder  of  smaller  diameter 
than  the  bore,  terminated  at  bottom  by  a  portion  of  a  sphere,  and 
connected,  by  a  spherical  or  a  conical  surface,  with  the  bore.  For 
very  small  charges  of  powder  and  short  lengths  of  bore,  the  cylin- 
drical chamber  gives  better  results  than  the  conical.  Hence,  all 
howitzers  are  provided  with  the  cylindrical  chamber. 

Conical  chamber. — This,  called  also  the  Gomer  chamber,  con- 
sists of  the  frustrum  of  a  cone  connected  with  the  bore  by  a  por- 
tion of  the  surface  of  a  sphere.  This  kind  of  chamber  is  con- 
sidered the  most  advantageous  for  large  charges,  and  is  adopted 
in  mortars. 


8 


Spherical  chamber. — This  consists  of  a  sphere  joined  to  the 
bore  of  the  piece  by  means  of  a  small  cylinder,  which  serves  as  a 
channel  to  the  gases.     It  is  now  ontirely'iabandoned. 


Grooves  of  the  Rifled  Gun. 


S  4.62-inch 

rifled 

gnns 

7 

■   ^3 

" 

5 

(4-62   " 
■   ^3 

<« 

<« 

0.5 

inch. 

<( 

<< 

0.4 

" 

5  4.62  " 
■   ^3 

<( 

u 

0.1 

" 

" 

(( 

0.07 

<( 

S  4.62   " 
"    >3 

<( 

<f 

1  turn 

in  19 

feet. 

u 

(( 

1 

" 

in  14 

1.1, 

<4.62  " 

" 

<' 

1.87 

inch. 

"   )  3 

(( 

*' 

1.5 

" 

Number  of  grooves, 

Width, 

Depth, 

Twist, 

Width  of  lands. 


To   DESIGNATE   A   PIECE   OF   ORDNANCE. 

State  the  kind,  the  calibre  (in  inches  if  it  be  foreign  ordnance), 
the  material,  the  weight,  the  inspector's  initials,  the  number,  the 
country  in  which  it  was  made,  the  date,  the  place  of  fabrication, 
the  founder's  name,  the  name  inscribed  on  it,  its  condition  for  ser- 
vice, the  kind  of  chamber,  if  any ;  whether  it  has  a  vent  piece,  a 
lock  piece,  handles,  the  ornaments,  and  any  particular  marks 
which  may  serve  to  identify  it. 


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Diameter  of  the  bore,     -^           »            -           - 
True  windage,    -            -            -            -            - 
Length  of  bore,  exclusive  of  chamber, 

"                '•             "                    "        indiam. 
Diameter  of  the  chamber, 

Length  of  the  chamber,              .            .            . 
Length  from  rear  of  base  ring  to  face  of  muzzle. 
Whole  length  of  the  piece, 
Semi-diameter  of  base  ring,        -            -            . 
Semi-diameter  of  swell  of  muzzle. 
Distance  between  these  semi-diameters, 
Natural  angle  of  sight, 

Dist.  from  rear  of  base  ring  to  rear  of  trunnions. 
Diameter  of  base  ring,    -            -            -            - 
Distance  between  the  rimbases. 
Length  of  the  trunnions. 
Diameter  of  the  trunnions, 
Dist.  from  axis  of  trunnions  to  face  of  muzzle, 
Weight,               -            -            -             pounds. 
Preponderance,               -            -             pounds, 

11 

Materials  for  Ordnance. 

Bronze. 

Bronze  for  cannon  (commonly  called  brass)  consists  of  90  parts 
of  copper,  and  10  of  tin,  allowing  a  variation  of  one  part  of  tin, 
more  or  less.  It  is  more  fusible  than  copper,  much  less  so  than 
tin,  more  sonorous,  harder,  and  less  susceptible  of  oxidation,  and 
much  less  ductile  than  either  of  its  components.  Its  fracture  is 
of  a  yellowish  color,  with  litlle  lustre,  a  coarse  grain,  irregular, 
and  often  exhibiting  spots  of  tin,  which  are  of  a  whitish  color. 
These  spots  indicate  defects  in  the  metal ;  but  they  seldom  con- 
tain more  than  25  per  cent,  of  tin.  The  specific  gravity  of  bronze 
is  about  8,700,  being  greater  than  the  mean  of  the  specific  gravi- 
ties of  copper  and  tin. 

Pure  copper  is  of  a  red  color,  inclining  to  yellow;  it  has  a  fine 
metallic  lustre.  Its  fracture  exhibits  a  short,  even,  close  grain,  of 
a  silky  appearance ;  it  is  very  ductile  and  very  malleable.  The 
greater  the  purity  of  copper,  the  more  malleable  it  is,  and  the 
finer  the  grain.     !:^pecific  gravity  from  8,600  to  9,000. 

Pure  tin  is  of  a  white  color,  a  little  darker  than  silver;  it  Is 
malleable,  and  susceptible  of  being  rolled  into  sheets,  but  it  is  not 
very  ductile ;  it  is  very  soft,  and  when  bent  backwards  and  for- 
wards, it  gives  a  peculiar  crackling  sound,  the  distinctness  of 
which  is  in  proportion  to  the  purity  of  the  tin.  Specific  gravity, 
7,290  to  7,320. 

Cast  Iron. 

Iron  for  making  cannon  should  be  smelted  with  the  greatest 
possible  care,  with  charcoal,  and  a  blast  of  a  constant  tempera- 
ture of  125^  to  300'^,  depending  upon  the  ore  used.  *  All  the  ma- 
terials wluch  enter  the  smelting  furnace  should  be  of  the  best  and 
purest  quality.  The  most  important  quality  of  gun-iron,  after  a 
medium  strength  of  25,000  to  30,000  pounds  per  square  inch,  is 
uniformity,  without  which  no  two  guns  can  be  made  alike,  or  any 
idea  formed  of  what  kind  of  guns  are  being  made.     The  essential 


12 

-qnalities  of  good  gttn-iron,  are  tenacity,  elasticity,  extensibility  and 
incompressibility :  that  iron  will  Tse  tlie  best  'whrcli  has  them  ^11  in 
the  greatest  degree,  and  the  absence  of  any  one  will  render  the 
iron  unfit  for  guns. 

Before  making  guns  from  an  iron  which  has  never  been  tried 
for  this  purpose,  a  sample-gun  of  the  calibre  of  the  gun  to  be 
made,  should  first  endure  a  satisfactory  proof  with  service  charges. 
The  mean  specific  gravity  of  gun-iron  is  about  7,248,  and  the 
average  tenacity  about  30,000  pounds  per  square  inch. 

Wrought  Iron  and  Steel. 
Experimental  guns  have  been  made  of  wrought  iron  and  steel, 
giving  satisfactory  results,  and  an  order  has  been  given  for  guns, 
to  be  made  of  the  former  material.  The  superior  strength  of 
these  materials,  and  the  evenness,  smoothness  and  hardness  of 
gnrface  of  which  they  are  susceptible,  render  it  probable  that 
these  are  the  materials  of  which  our  field  rifle  guns  will  soon  1>€ 
exclusively  made. 

Marks. 

All  cannon  are  required  to  be  weighed,  and  to  be  marked  as 
follows,  viz  :  the  number  of  the  gun,  and  the  initials  of  the  inspec- 
tors name,  on  Ihe  face  of  the  muzzle  ;  the  numbers  in  a  separate 
series  for  each  kind  and  calibre  at  each  foundry ;  the  initial  let- 
ters of  the  name  of  the  founder  and  of  the  foundry,  on  the  end  of 
the  right  trunnion ;  the  year  of  fabrication  on  the  end  of  the  lofi 
trunnion;  the  foundry  number  on  the  end  of  the  right  rimbase, 
above  the  trunnion  ;  the  weight  of  the  piece  in  pounds  on  the  base 
of  the  breech ;  the  letters  C.  S.  on  the  upper  surface  of  the  piece, 
near  the  end  of  the  reinforce. 

Cannon  rejected  on  inspection  are  marked  X  C  on  the  face  of 
the  muzzle ;  if  condemned  for  erroneous  dimensions  which  cannot 
be  remedied,  add  X  D ;  if  by  powder  proof,  X  P ;  if  by  water 
proof,  X  W. 

Injuries  caused  by  service. 

Brass  cannon  are  little  subject  to  esternal  injury,  except  from 


13 

the  bending  of  the  trunnions  sometimes  after  long  service  or  heavy 
charges. 

internal  injuries  are  caused  hj  the  action  of  the  elastic  fluids 
developed  in  the  combustion  of  the  powder,  or  by  the  action  of 
the  shot  in  passing  out  of  the  bore,  these  effects  generally  in-» 
crease  with  the  calibre  of  the  piece. 

Of  the  first  kind,  which  exhibit  themselves  in  rear  of  the  shot, 
are :  21ie  enlargement  of  the  bore  by  the  compression  of  the  metal, 
which  is  seldom  a  serious  defect;  corrosion  of  metal,  particularly 
at  the  angles,  such  as  the  inner  orifice  of  the  vent,  or  the  mouth 
of  a  cjluidrical  chamber ;  cracks,  from  the  yielding  of  the  cohe- 
sion of  the  metal ;  cavities,  cracks  enlarged  by  the  action  of  the 
gas,  and  by  the  melting  of  the  metal ;  observable  especially  in 
the  upper  surface  of  the  bore. 

Injuries  of  the  second  kind,  which  appear  in  front  of  the  charge, 
are  :  The  lodgment  of  the  shot,  a  compression  of  the  metal  on  the 
lower  side  of  the  bore,  at  the  seat  of  the  shot,  caused  by  the  pres- 
sure of  the  fluid  in  escaping  over  the  top  of  the  shot.  There  is 
a  corresponding  burr  in  front  of  the  lodgment,  and  the  motion 
thereby  given  to  the  shot  causes  it  to  strike  alternatelj'  on  the  top 
and  bottom  of  the  bore,  producing  other  enlargemenif;,  generally 
three  in  number ;  it  is  chiefly  from  this  cause  that  bronze  guns 
become  unserviceable.  Scratches,  caused  by  the  fragments  of  a 
broken  shot,  or  the  roughness  of  an  imperfect  one. 

The  durahility  of  bronze  guns  may  be  much  increased  by 
careful  use,  and  by  the  precautions  of  increasing  the  length  of 
the  cartridge,  or  that  of  the  sabot,  or  using  a  wad  over  the  car- 
tridge, in  order  to  change  the  place  of  the  shot ;  by  wrajyping  the 
shot  in  ivoolcn  or  other  cloth,  or  in  paper,  so  as  to  diminish  the 
windage  and  the  bounding  of  the  shdt  in  the  bore.  The  French 
bronze  siege  guns,  which  formerly  v.  <  re  rendered  unserviceable 
in  600  service  rounds,  now  endure  l)y  iliis  method  2,500  service 
rounds.  In  field  guns,  both  bronze  and  iron,  the  paper  cap,  which 
is  taken  off  from  the  cartridge,  should  always  be  jmt  over  the  shot. 
Iron  guns  are  subject  to  the  above  defects  in  a  less  degree  than 
bronze,  except  from  corrosion  of  the  metal.     The  principal  cause 


14 

of  injury  to  iron  guus  is  rusting  of  the  metal,  producing  a  rough- 
ness and  enlargement  of  the  bore. 

The  service  to  which  an  iron  gun  has  been  subjected,  may  gene- 
rally be  determined  by  the  appearance  of  the  vent.  This  is  ex- 
amined by  taking  a  cast  of  it  in  lead.  After  about  500  rounds, 
the  vent  becomes  enlarged  to  .3  inch,  and  should  not  be  longer 
used. 

In  rifled  guns,  the  wear  of  the  vent  is  about  twice  as  great  as 
in  smooth  bored  guns. 

Replacing  vents. — In  bronze  field  pieces,  the  vent  piece  is  taken 
out  and  a  new  one  screwed  in.  In  other  guns,  the  vent  is  filled 
up  by  pouring  in  melted  zinc,  the  vent  being  closed  on  the  inte- 
rior by  means  of  cLay  placed  on  the  head  of  a  rammer,  and  pressed 
against  the  upper  surface  of  the  bore,  and  a  new  vent  is  bored  at 
a  distance  of  two  or  three  inches  from  the  first. 

Spiking  and  unspiking  Guns,  and  rendering  them  unser- 
viceable. 

To  spike  a  piece,  or  to  render  it  unserviceable. — Drive  into  the 
vent  a  jagged  and  hardened  steel  spike  with  a  soft  point,  or  a  nail 
without  a  head ;  break  it  off  flush  with  the  outer  surface,  and 
clinch  the  point  inside  by  means  of  a  rammer.  Wedge  a  shot  in 
the  bottom  of  the  bore  by  wrapping  it  with  felt,  or  by  means  of 
iron  wedges,  using  the  rammer,  or  a  bar  of  iron  to  drive  them  in ; 
a  wooden  wedge  would  be  easily  burnt  by  means  of  a  charcoal 
fire,  lighted  with  the  aid  of  a  bellows.  Cause  shells  to  burst  in 
the  bore  of  bronze  guns,  or  fire  broken  shot  from  them  with  high 
charges.  Fill  a  piece  with  sand  over  the  charge  to  burst  it.  Fire 
a  piece  against  another,  muzzle  to  muzzle,  or  the  muzzle  of  one 
to  the  chase  of  the  other.  Light  a  fire  under  the  chase  of  a  bronze 
gun,  and  strike  on  it  with  a  sledge  to  bend  it.  Break  off  the 
trunnions  of  iron  guns  ;  or  burst  them  by  firing  them  with  heavy 
charges,  and  full  of  shot  at  a  high  elevation.  When  guns  are  to 
be  spiked  temporaril}^  and  are  likely  to  be  retaken,  a  sjning  spike 
is  used,  having  a  shoulder  to  prevent  its  being  too  easily  extracted. 

To  unspike  a  piece.— H  the  spike  is  not  screwed  in  or  clinched, 


16 

and  the  bore  is  not  impeded,  put  in  a  charge  of  powder  of  one- 
third  the  weight  of  the  shot,  and  ram  junk  wads  over  it  with  a 
handspike,  laying  on  the  bottom  of  the  bore  a  strip  of  wood  with 
a  gl'oove  on  the  under  side,  containing  a  strand  of  quick-match, 
by  which  fire  is  communicated  to  the  charge ;  in  a  bronze  gun, 
take  out  some  of  the  metal  at  the  upper  orifice  of  the  vent  and 
pour  sulphuric  acid  into  the  groove  for  some  hours  before  firing. 
If  this  method,  several  times  repeated,  is  not  successful,  unscrew 
the  vent  piece  if  it  be  a  bronze  gUn,  and  if  an  iron  one,  drill  out 
the  spike,  or  drill  a  new  vent. 

^o  drive  out  a  shot  wedged  in  the  hare. — Unscrew  the  vent 
piece,  if  there  be  one,  and  drive  in  wedges  so  as  to  start  the  shot 
forward — then  ram  it  back  again,  in  order  to  seize  the  wedge  with 
a  hook;  or  pour  in  powder  and  fire  it  after  replacing  the  vent 
piece.  In  the  last  resort  bore  a  hole  in  the  bottom  of  the  breech, 
drive  out  the  shot  and  stop  the  hole  with  a  screw. 

To  use  a  piece  ivhich  has  been  spiked. — Insert  one  end  of  a 
piece  of  quick-match  in  the  cartridge,  allowing  the  other  to  pro* 
ject  out  of  the  muzzle  of  the  gun.  Apply  the  fire  to  the  quick- 
match,  and  get  out  of  the  way.  When  quick-match  of  sufficient 
length  is  not  at  hand,  insert  one  end  in  the  cartridge,  the  other 
projecting  in  front  of  the  shot;  and  after  ramming  the  cartridge 
home,  throw  two  or  three  pinches  of  powder  into  the  bore.  Place 
another  piece  of  match  in  the  muzzle,  the  end  projecting  out. 
The  piece  may  be  fired  in  this  way  without  danger.  Quick-match 
in  the  cartridge  may  be  dispensed  witli  by  piercing  three  or  four 
holes  in  the  cartridge  bag.  In  this  manner  the  gun  may  be  fired 
with  great  rapidity. 

Preservation  of  Ordnance. 

Cannon  should  be  placed  together,  according  to  kind  and  calibre, 
oti  skids  of  stone,  iron,  or  wood,  laid  on  hard  ground,  well  rammed 
and  covered  with  a  layer  of  cinders,  or  of  some  other  material,  to 
prevent  vegetation. 

Guns  and  long;  howitzers. — The  pieces  should  rest  on  the  skids 
in  front  of  the  base  ring  and  in  rear  of  the  astragal;  the  aiis  in- 


16 

dined  at  an  angle  of  4  or  5  degrees  with  the  horizon,  the  muzzle 
lowest ;  the  trunnions  touching  each  other ;  or  if  space  is  wanting 
for  that  arrangement,  the  trunnion  of  one  piece  may  rest  on  the 
adjoining  piece,  so  that  the  axis  of  the  trunnions  is  inclined  about 
45°  with  a  horizontal  line ;  the  vent  down,  stopped  with  a  greased 
w^ooden  plug,  or  with  putty  or  tallow.  If  circumstances  require  it, 
the  pieces  may  be  piled  in  two  tiers,  with  skidding  placed  between 
them,  exactly  over  those  which  rest  on  the  ground ;  the  muzzles 
of  both  tiers  in  the  same  direction  and  their  axes  preserving  the 
game  inclination. 

Short  howitzers  and  mortars. — On  thick  planks,  standing  on 
their  muzzles,  the  trunnions  touching,  the  vents  stopped. 

Iron  ordnance  should  be  covered  on  the  exterior  with  a  lacker 
impervious  to  water;  the  bore  and  the  vent  should  be  greased 
with  a  mixture  of  oil  and  talloiv,  or  of  tallow  and  beeswax  melted 
together  and  boiled  to  expel  the  water.  The  lacker  should  be 
renewed  as  often  as  requisite,  and  the  grease  at  least  once  every 
year. 

The  lacker  and  grease  should  be  applied  in  hot  weather. 

The  cannon  should  be  frequently  inspected,  to  see  that  moisture 
does  not  collect  in  the  bore. 

History  of  Cannon. 

Gunpowder  became  generally  known  in  Europe  about  1320, 
and  about  this  time  it  was  first  used  to  project  rounded  stones 
from  short  conical  guns,  made  in  the  shape  of  an  apothecary's 
mortar. 

Perrieres. — These  were  succeeded  by  guns  made  of  long  and 
cylindrical  bars  of  iron  bound  together  by  hoops,  with  a  chamber 
for  the  powder,  called  perneies,  from  being  used  to  breach  stone 
walls. 

Culverin. — The  introduction  of  the  cast  iron  instead  of  the 
stone  projectile,  caused  the  rejection  of  the  perrieres  for  the  cul- 
verin, a  gun  somewhat  like  that  used  at  present,  of  cast  metal, 
only  much  longer  bore,  and  ornamented  on  the  exterior  with 
"vajrious  devices.     There  is  one  now  at  Dover,  England,  25  feet 


17 

long,  which  casts  a  projectile  of  18  pounds,  called  "  Queen  Anne's 
Pocket  Piece." 

Breech-loading  cannon. — In  the  repository  at  Woolwich,  there 
is  a  gun  marked  1426,  with  a  moveable  breech.  Among  the  ear- 
liest cannon  are  found  those  loading  at  the- breech.  They  were 
soon  abandoned  for  want  of  strength. 

ArqueUise. — The  arquehuse  was  a  light  gun,  to  be  used  by  the 
hand,  which  came  into  use  about  1524;  and  this  was  finally  suc- 
ceeded by  the  musket,  cannon  having  been  in  use  nearly  two 
hundred  years  before  the  musket. 

Ancient  mortars. — In  1478  an  attempt  was  made  to  use  hollow 
projectiles,  to  which  was  attached  a  burning  match,  but  with  little 
success.  In  1G34  the  present  mortars  were  introduced  in  the 
French  service. 

Ancient  howitzers. — Early  attempts  were  also  made  to  throw 
hollow  projectiles  from  the  long  culverins ;  but  the  difficulty  of 
loading,  as  the  match  was  lighted  before  they  were  introduced, 
caused  the  attempt  to  be  abandoned,  until  the  Dutch  artillerists 
conceived  the  idea  of  reducing  its  length  so  the  projectile  could 
be  readily  inserted.  These  cannon,  thus  reduced,  came  into 
general  use,  under  the  name  of  Howitzers  from  the  German, 
Haubitz. 

Calibres. — The  principal  series  were  the  French:  the  32- 
pounder,  16-pounder,  8-pounder,  4-pounder  and  2-pounder ;  and 
the  German,  the  48-pounder,  24-pounder,  12-pounder,  6-pounder, 
3-pounder  and  1^-pounder.  To  one  or  the  other  of  these,  all  the 
various  systems  of  calibres  were  finally  reduced. 

Valiere.— In  1732  Gen.  Yaliere  established  a  system  of  uni- 
formity for  cannon  throughout  France.  Still,  the  carriages  for 
different  calibres  were  of  different  dimensions  ;  the  axletrees  were 
of  wood,  and  gun  carriages  without  limbers. 

Gribeauval. — In  1765  Gen.  Gribeauval  effected  the  most  im- 
portant changes  in  artillery.  He  diminished  the  charge  of  pow- 
der from  one-half  to  one-third  the  weight  of  the  ball,  and  was 
thereby  enabled  to  make  the  gun  lighter ;  he  disposed  the  horses 
in  double  file,  having  been  previously  arranged  in  single ;  he  in- 


X8 

troduced  iron  axletrees,  cartridges  instead  of  loose  powder,  ele- 
vatiug-  screws  and  tangent  scales,  and  compelled  all  the  arsenals 
to  make  the  work  according  to  fixed  dimensions. 

Aftcj'wards,  all  field  carriages  were  reduced  to  two,  making  the 
wheels  of  the  limber  and  of  the  carriage  the  same,  and  an  am- 
munition chest  placed  on  the  limber.  The  two  flasks  which 
formed  the  trail,  were  replaced  by  a  single  piece,  called  the  stoclc^ 
allowing  the  piece  to  turn  in  a  smaller  space. 

Napoleon  gun. — In  1850  the  present  Emperor  of  France  sub- 
stituted a  single  gun  of  medium  weight  and  12  lbs.  calibre,  capa- 
ble of  firing  both  shot  and  shell,  for  the  8  and  12-pounder  guns, 
and  24  and  32-pounder  howitzers  then  in  use.  It  is  also  called 
canon-obusier,  or  gun-howitzer.  All  the  field  batteries  in  the 
French  service  in  the  Crimean  war,  consisted  of  these  Napoleon 
guns,  each  drawn  by  eight  horses.  This  gun  is  now  adopted  in 
the  C.  S.  service. 

Increase  in  calibre. — In  1830  the  heaviest  gun  mounted  in  the 
U.  S.  service,  was  a  42-pounder;  now,  15-inch  columbiads,  cast- 
ing a  ball  of  400  lbs.  weight,  and  mortars,  throwing  15-inch  shell 
of  320  lbs.  weight,  are  in  use. 

Rijle  cannon. — The  first  rifled  small  arm  is  said  to  have  been 
made  in  1498;  yet  the  method  of  rifling  was  not  applied  to  can- 
non until  a  recent  period.     Col.  Cavalli  of  the  Sardinian  service' 
introduced  about  1832  a  breech-loading  rifle  cannon,  which  was 
somewhat  noted,  though  not  generally  adopted. 

Lancaster  gun. — During  the  Crimean  war  Mr.  Lancaster  in- 
troduced his  rifle  cannon  of  elliptical  bore.  It  was  like  a  smooth 
bore  with  its  section  an  ellipse  instead  of  a  circle ;  having  the 
major  axis  of  the  ellipse  at  the  muzzle  at  right  angles  to  the  major 
axis  at  the  breech.  They  wholly  failed,  at  the  siege  of  Sevasto- 
pol, to  realize  the  expectations  formed,  and  from  frequent  burst- 
ing, were  finally  discarded. 

Rifle  fi.eld  j^ieces  were  first  used  with  great  efi^ect  by  the  French 
in  the  Italian  war,  and  rifle  siege  2yieces  have  been  first  used  in 
the  present  war. 

Among  the  most  celebrated  rifle  cannon,  are  the  Armstrong, 


19 

the  Whilworth  and  the  Parrott.  Some  of  these  are  now  in  the 
C.  S.  service,  obtained  either  by  capture  or  purchase. 

The  Armstrong  gun,  so  called  from  the  inventor,  who  was 
knighted  by  the  English  government  for  the  invention,  is  a 
breech-loading  rifle  cannon,  made  of  wrought  iron  tubes  welded 
together ;  each  tube  is  from  two  to  three  feet  long,  and  is  formed 
by  twisting  a  square  bar  of  iron  around  a  mandrel,  and  welding 
the  edges  together,  as  a  good  fowling  piece  is  made.  In  the  rear 
of  the  trunnions  it  is  enveloped  with  two  additional  thicknesses  of 
tubes.  The  outer  consists  of  a  spiral  coil,  but  the  inner  is  formed 
of  an  iron  slab  bent  into  a  circular  shape  and  welded.  This  in- 
termediate layer  has  chiefly  to  sustain  the  pressure  on  the  bottom 
of  the  bore. 

Breech. — The  breech  is  closed  with  a  vent  piece,  which  is 
slipped  with  the  hand  into  a  slot  cut  into  the  breech  of  the  piece, 
and  held  in  its  place  by  a  breech  screw,  which  supports  it  from 
behind.  This  screw  is  made  in  the  form  of  a  tube,  so  that  its 
hollow  forms  a  part  of  the  bore  prolonged,  when  the  vent  piece  is 
withdrawn :  and  through  this  hollow  tube  the  charge  is  passed 
into  the  chamber. 

Bore. — The  bore  of  the  field  gun  is  three  inches  in^diameter, 
and  is  rifled  with  thirty-four  narrow  grooves.  Twist,  one  turn  in 
9  feet. 

Projectile. — It  consists  of  a  very  thin  cast  iron  shell  enclosing 
forty -two  segment  shaped  pieces  of  cast  iron  built  up  so  as  to  form 
a  cylindrical  cavity  in  the  centre.  The  exterior  of  the  shell  is 
thinly  coated  with  lead.  The  lead  is  also  allowed  to  percolate 
among  the  segments  so  as  to  fill  up  the  interstices,  the  central 
cavity  being  kept  open  bj^  the  insertion  of  a  steel  core.  In  this 
state  the  projectile  is  so  compact  that  it  may  be  fired  through  six 
feet  of  hard  timber  without  injury  ;  while  its  resistance  to  a  burst- 
ing charge  is  so  small  that  less  than  one  ounce  of  powder  is  re- 
quired to  burst  it. 

The  gun  can  be  fired  with  great  rapidity,  and  apparently  for 
any  length  of  time,  without  being  sponged.  The  Armstrong  gun 
always  throws  to  the  right,  increasing  ^nth  the  range.     This  con- 


20 

stant  deviation  or  *'  drift"  is  allowed  for  by  a  lateral  motion  of 
the  rear  sight. 

Eight  degrees  of  elevation  give  a  range  of  about  3,000  yards. 
In  connection  with  the  elevating  apparatus,  the  field  carriage  has 
a  lateral  screic  for  giving  a  slight  transverse  motion  to  the  piece 
in  pointing.     None  of  them  are  in  the  C.  S.  service. 

The  Whitworth  gun  is  a  breech-loading  rifle  cannon,  made  of 
steel,  with  a  wrought  iron  band  at  the  breech.  The  breech  screws 
off  and  works  in  a  collar  turning  on  a  hinge.  It  is  100  inches 
long  in  the  bore,  which  is  somewhat  hexagonal  in  form.  The  ca- 
libre of  the  inscribed  circle  is  2.71  inches.  The  sides  of  the  hex- 
agon have  one  turn  in  4i  feet.  The  vent  is  in  the  direction  of  the 
axis  of  the  bore.  The  projectile  is  a  hexagonal  prismoid  in  form, 
to  fit  the  bore,  with  the  front  end  a  paraboloid.  The  carriage  is 
provided  with  an  azimuth  screw  of  play  of  1^  inch  for  moving  the 
gun  in  azimuth.  It  derives  its  name  from  the  celebrated  English 
machinist  Whitworth,  its  inventor,  and  is  said  to  have  a  remark- 
able range.     A  few  are  in  the  C.  S.  service,  by  purchase. 

The  Parrott  gun  derives  its  name  from  its  inventor,  Mr.  Par- 
rott  of  New  York.  It  is  a  cast  iron  rifle  cannon,  with  the  dis- 
tinctive clmracteristic  of  being  reinforced  at  the  breech  with  a 
wrought  iron  band,  and  of  having  grooves  equal  in  luidth  to  the 
lands.  The  groove  is  a  portion  of  an  annulus  with  rounded 
cornei-s. 

The  Parrott  {called  also  10-pounder  rijled)  gun  has  a  calibre 
2.9  inches.  Length  from  rear  of  base  band  to  muzzle,  72.8  inches. 
Three  grooves  .05  inch  deep,  wrought  iron  band  at  breech  13 
inches  in  length  and  1.18  inch  thick. 

The  20-pounder  Parrott  gun  (captured  before  Eichraond)  has 
a  calibre  of  3.67  inches ;  length  from  rear  of  base  band  to  muzzle, 
83  inches ;  wrought  iron  band  at  breech,  16  inches  in  length  and 
1.5  inch  in  thickness.  It  has  five  grooves  equal  to  the  bands  in 
width,  atd  is  rifled  with  one  turn  in  24  feet. 

The  30-pounder  Parrott  gun  (captured  at  Manassas)  has  a 
calibre  of  4.2  inches  ;  weight  4190  lbs. ;  entire  length  132  inches  ; 
five  grooves.     The  wrought  iron  band  at  breech  is  19  inches  in 


length  and  2  inches  in  thickness.  It  is  rifled  ^vith  one  turn  in 
24  feet. 

A  few  3-inch  guns  have  been  rifled  and  banded  at  the  Tredegar 
works  like  the  Parrott  gun.  A  few  3-inch  wrought  iron  guns  have 
also  been  captured.  They  arc  known  by  the  outline  being  a  con- 
tinuous curve. 

Austrian  guns. — Twenty-seven  bronze  field  pieces  have  been 
introduced  into  the  C.  S.  service  from  Austria.  Seven  are  24- 
pounder  howitzers,  cast  in  Vienna,  1857-50,  of  calibre  5.87,  in- 
stead of  5.82.  The  remaining  seventeen  are  6-pounders,  cast  in 
Vienna  in  1826  and  1859,  of  calibre  3.74  instead  of  3.67.  By 
having  the  balls  enclosed  in  canvas,  the  ordinary  ammunition 
issued  for  the  approximate  calibres  in  the  C.  S.  service  may  be 
used  with  these  guns  and  howitzers. 

The  Blakeleij  gun  derives  its  name  from  its  maker,  Mr.  Blake- 
ley  of  England.  The  field  piece  is  a  12-pounder  rifle  cannon,  of 
calibre  3.50  inches,  with  saw  tooth  grooves.  Some  are  in  service;, 
obtained  by  purchase. 


22 

CHAP.  II. 
PROJECTILES. 

Material. 

Stone  ^yrojec tiles  were  used  before  tlie  invention  of  gunpowder, 
and  very  generally  after  it,  until  the  year  1400,  when  the  French 
made  them  of  cast  iron.  Un^il  quite  lately,  bronze  guns,  throwing 
stone  balls  of  enormous  calibre,  were  used  by  the  Turks  in  de- 
fending the  passage  of  the  Dardanelles. 

Lead  is  too  soft  to  be  used  against  very  resisting  objects.  Large 
projectiles  are  liable  to  be  disfigured  and  partially  melted  by  "the 
violent  shock  and  great  heat  of  large  charges  of  powder. 

Wrought  iron  can  be  used  when  great  strength  and  density  are 
required.     It  is  very  expensive. 

Cast  iron  unites,  in  a  greater  degree  than  any  other  material, 
the  essential  qualities  of  hardness,  strength,  density  and  cheapness. 

Compound  projectiles.-^ AX  the  siege  of  Cadiz,  cast  iron  projec- 
tiles, filled  with  lead,  were  used,  combining  thus  great  strength 
and  density.  For  rifle  guns,  in  some  services,  the  projectiles  are 
coated  with  lead.*    In  the  C.  S.  service  a  copper  disc  is  used. 

Classification. 

Projectiles  may  be  classified  in  spherical  and  oblong.  The 
spherical  are  used  in  smooth  bored  guns,  and  the  oblong  in  rifle 
guns.     They  are  further  classified  according  to  their  structure. 

Solid  or  round  shot  are  made  of  cast  iron,  and  are  used  in  guns. 

Shells  are  hollow  shot  made  of  cast  iron.  For  field  guns  and 
howitzers  their  calibres  are  expressed  by  tJie  weight  of  the  equiva- 
lent solid  shot,  as  12  and  24  pound  shells  ;  and  for  all  other  howit- 
zers and  mortars,  by  the  diameter  of  the  bore  of  the  piece,  as  8 
and  10  inch  shells.  They  have  less  strength  to  resist  a  shock, 
and  are  therefore  fired  with  a  smaller  charge  of  powder  than  solid 
shot.     The  cavity  contains  a  bursting  charge  of  powder,  or  a 


23 

bursting  charge  and  incendiary  composition,  if  the  object  be  to 
destroy  by  combustion. 

Spherical  case  shot  were  invented  or  perfected  by  Col.  Schrap- 
nell  of  the  British  army,  and  hence  are  often  called  "  Schraimeli:' 
They  consist  of  thin  cast  iron  shells  filled  with  round  musket  balls. 
Formerly  the  interstices  were  filled  with  melted  sulphur  to  solidify 
the  mass,  and  a  hole  bored  through  the  mass  to  receive  the  burst- 
ing charge.  Now,  by  packing  the  balls  in  tight,  the  sulphur  is 
dispensed  with.  The  12-pounder  spherical  case  shot  contains 
about  90  bullets  and  a  bursting  charge  of  1  oz.  of  powder,  and 
the  24-pounder  contains  about  175  bullets. 

Grape  shot. — A  grape  shot  is  composed  of  nine  small  cast  iron 
balls  of  a  size  appropriate  to  the  calibre,  disposed  in  three  layers 
of  three  balls  each.  Formerly  the  balls  were  held  together  by  a 
covering  of  canvas  and  a  net-work  of  twine,  called  quilted  grape. 
Now  a  stand  of  grape  is  held  together  by  two  rings  and  a  plate 
at  each  end  of  the  stand  connected  by  a  rod  or  bolt.  Grape  shot 
are  used  in  all  smooth  bored  guns  except  the  field  and  mountain 
services. 

Canister  shot. — A  canister  shot  is  a  tin  cylinder  with  iron  heads 
Ailed  with  balls  packed  in  sawdust.  The  balls  are  all  made  oi 
cast  iron,  except  for  the  mountain  howitzer.  A  canister  shot  for  a 
jgun  contains  27  small  balls  arranged  in  4  layers — the  top  of  6, 
and  the  remainder  of  7  each.  That  for  a  howitzer  contains  48 
balls  in  four  layers  of  12  each.  They  are  used  in  the  field,  moun- 
tain, siege  and  seacoast  services. 

Bar  shot  consist  of  two  spheres  connected  by  a  bar  of  iron. 
They  are  very  inaccurate — so  much  so  as  at  the  present  to  be 
abandoned. 

Chain  shot  only  differ  from  lar  shot  in  the  connection  being  by 
a  chain  instead  of  a  bar. 

Carcasses  are  shells  having,  besides  the  usual  eye,  three  others, 
which  are  placed  at  equal  distances  apart,  and  tangent  to  the 
great  circle  of  the  shell,  which  is  perpendicular  to  the  axis  of  the 
first  eye.  They  are  filled  with  combustible  composition,  primed 
at  the  four  holes  with  quick-match  and  mealed  powder,  and  are 


24 


used  to  8st  fire  to  au  enemy's  works,  the  additional  holes  being  to 
allow  a  more  rapid  escape  of  the  flame. 

Grenades. — A  hand  grenade  is  a  small  shell  thrown  from  the 
hand.  Rampart  grenades  are  larger,  and  are  used  to  roll  down 
a  breach  in  its  defence,  to  throw  over  the  ramparts,  &c.  Six- 
pounder  spherical  case  shot  may  be  used  as  hand  grenade^ 

Shot. 


Calibre, 

32 

24 

18 

12 

9 

6 

4 

3 

1 

Diameter,    - 

6.25 

5.68 

5.17 

4.52 

4.10 

3.58 

3.12 

2.84 

1.95 

Weight, 

32.6 

24.4 

18.5 

12.3 

9.25 

6.10 

4.07 

3.05 

1.00 

The  specific  gravity  of  shot  and  shell  is  about  7,000.     Shells  7.1. 

1-6  It  D^  being  the  volume  of  a  sphere,  and  .2607  the  weight  of 
a  cubic  inch  of  cast  iron,  the  weight  of  a  cast  iron  sphere  will  be 
1-6  'Tf  W  X  .2607  =  1-6  X  3.1416  x  .2607  D^^  =  0.134  D3. 

To  find  the  weight  of  a  cast  iron  shot  or  shell : 

Multiply  the  cube  of  the  diameter  of  the  shot  in  inches,  or  the 
difference  of  the  cubes  of  the  exterior  and  interior  diameters  of 
the  shell,  by  0.134  for  the  weight  in  pounds. 

For  lead  balls,  the  multiplier  is  0.2142. 

To  find  the  diameter  of  a  cast  iron  shot  of  a  given  weight : 

Divide  the  weight  in  pounds  by  0.134,  and  the  cube  root  of  the 
quotient  will  be  the  diameter  in  inches. 

To  find  the  quantity  of  powder  which  a  shell  will  contain  : 

Multiply  the  cube  of  the  interior  diameter  of  the  shell  in  inches 
by  0.01744,  for  the  weight  of  powder  in  pounds. 

To  find  the  number  of  balls  in  te  pile: 

Multiply  the  sum  of  the  three  parallel  edges  by  one-third  of  the 
number  of  balls  in  a  triangular  face. 

In  a  square  pile,  one  of  the  parallel  edges  contains  but  one  ball ; 
in  a  triangular  pile,  two  of  the  edges  have  but  one  ball  in  each. 

n(n-l-l) 

The  number  of  balls  in  a  triangular  face  is  2        ;  n  bein^ 

the  number  in  the  bottom  row. 


25 


The  sum  of  the  three  parallel  eds^es  in  a  triangular  pile  is 

l'w-[-2;  in  a  square  pile,  2  71  -|-  1;  in  an  oblong  pile,  3  N-\- 

[2  w  —  2  ;  N  being-  the  length  of  the  top  row,  and  n  the  width  of 

the  bottom  tier;  or,  3  m  —  n  -\-  1;  m  being  the  length  and  n 

the  width  of  the  bottom  tier. 

If  a  pile  consist  of  two  piles  joined  at  a  right  angle,  calculate 
the  contents  of  one  as  a  common  oblong  pile,  and  of  the  other  as 
a  pile  of  which  the  three  parallel  edges  are  equal. 


26 


CHAP.  III. 


ARTILLERY  CARRIAGES. 


NOMENCLATURE. 

The  nomenclature  and  the  tables  of  dimensions  and  weights 
given  in  this  chapter,  apply  to  the  latest  patterns  adopted.  The 
parts  are  enumerated  generally  in  the  order  in  which  they  are  put 
together. 

Field  Gun  Carriages. 

There  are  four  gun  carriages  for  field  artillery,  viz : 
One  for  the  6-pounder  gun  and  the  12-pounder  howitzer. 
One  for  the  24-pounder  howitzer. 

One  for  the  12-pounder  gun  and  the  32-pounder  howitzer. 
One  for  the  12-pounder  gun,  Napoleon. 

The  parts  of  these  carriages  are  all  similar^  differing  only  in 
their  dimensions. 

Wood. 

1  stock,  in  two  pieces ;  2  dowels ;  2  cheeks ;  1  axle  body. 

Iron. 


2  trail  handles. 

2  bolts  and  2  nuts  for  do. 

1  lock  chain  bolt,  1  washer,  and  1 

nut. 
1  eye  plate  for  lock  chain. 
1  lock  chain.  No.  5,  3  rings,  1 

toggle. 
1  lunette,  for  the  trail. 
1  trail  plate ;  2  rivets. 
12  nails,  for  lunette  and  trail  plate. 

1  large  pointing  ring  and  plate. 

2  bolts  and  2  nuts,  for  do. 

1  small  pointing  ring. 

2  bolts  and  2  nuts,  for  do. 
2  wheel  guard  plates. 

10  nails,  for  do. 
2  prolonge  hooks. 


8  nails,  for  prolonge  hooks. 

1  stop,  for  rammer  head. 
4  nails,  for  do. 

3  ear-plate,  for  worm. 

2  nails,  for  do. 

1  key,  for  v/orra. 

1  key  chain ;  1  eye-pin. 

1  eye-plate  for  sponge  and  rammer 

chains. 

2  screws,  for  eye-plate. 

2  chains  and  hasps,  for  sponges 

and  rammers. 
2  turnbuckles  (brass). 
2  stud  plates,  for  turnbuckles. 
2  trunnion  plates. 
20  nails,  for  do.,  iu  6-pdr.  and  24- 

pdr.  howitzer  carriage. 


S7 


Field  Gun  Carriages— /ro^— Continued. 


28  nails,  in  ]2-pclr.  carriage. 
2  cbaiu  bolts ;  2  bevel  washers  and 

2  nuts.  * 

2  key  bolts ;  2  nuts. 
6  cheek  bolts;  4  washers;  6  nuts. 
2  cap  squares  ;  2  eye  pins. 
2  cap  square  chains ;  2  eye  pins. 
2  cap  square  keys. 
2  key  cliains  ;  2  eye  pins. 

2  D  rings,  for  handspikes. 
4  staples,  for  D  rings. 

1  linstock-socket. 

6  nails,  for  do. 

6  rondelles  {cast  iron). 

3  assembling  bolts. 

3  washers  and  3  nuts,  for  do. 
1  washer  hook,  for  lock  chain. 


2  washer  hooks,  for  handspikes. 

1  axletree ;  the  arms,  the  stop* 

2  under  straps. 
1  axle  strap. 

1  bevel  washer,  for  6-pounder  axle 

strap. 

3  axle  strap  bolts ;  3  nuts. 

2  axle  bands. 
6  nails,  for  do. 

1  box  for  elevating  screw  (brass). 

2  bolts,  for  do. ;  2  washers ;  2  nuts. 

1  elevating  screw. 

2  shoulder  washers, 
2  linch  washers, 
2  linch  pins. 

2  wheels. 


for  axletree. 


Limber. 

The  same  limber  is  used  for  all  field  carriages. 
Wood. 


1  axle  body. 

2  hounds. 
1  fork. 

1  splinter  bar. 


4  foot  board  brackets. 

2  foot  boards. 

1  pole. 

1  pole  prop. 


8  screws,  for  foot  board  brackets. 
20  nails,  for  foot  boards. 
4  rivets  and  4  burrs,  for  hounds. 
4  plates,  for  stay  pins  ;  8  nails. 
1  axletree. 
1  pintle  hook. 

3  bolts,  for  do. ;  2  Avashers ;  3  nuts. 

1  stay  plate,  for  limber  chest. 

2  nails,  for  do. 
1  pintle  key. 

1  key  chain ;  1  eye  pin. 

1  tar  bucket  hook ;  2  nails. 

2  bolts,  for  hounds ;  2  washers ;  2 

nuts. 
2  under  straps. 

4  bolts,  for  under  straps;  4  nuts. 
2  axle  bands  ;  6  nails. 

2  end  bands,  for  splinter  bar. 
4  rivets,  for  do. 


2  bolts,  for  hounds  and  splinter 

bar. 
4  washers  and  2  nuts,  for  do. 

1  eye  plate,  for  pole  prop  socket. 

2  middle  bands,  for  splinter  bar. 
4  trace  hooks. 

1  fork  strap. 

2  bolts,  for  splinter  bar  and  fork. 
2  nuts,  for  do. 

1  pole  prop  socket ;  1  rivet. 
1  pole  prop  ferrule ;  ]  rivet. 
1  pole  prop  chain ;  1  toggle. 
1  eye  pin,  for  pole  prop  chain. 

1  burr,  for  eye  pin. 

2  stay  pins,  for  ammunition  chest. 
2  keys,  for  stay  pins. 

2  key  chains  ;  2  eye  pins. 

1  rivet  and  1  burr,  for  end  of  pole. 

1  pole  bolt ;  2  washers ;  1  nut. 


28 


Limber — Iron — (Continued.) 


1  pole  strap  and  3  rivets. 

2  pole  chains  ;  the  hnks ;  the  ring. 
1  muff,  for  pole  yoke. 

1  collar,  for  muff;  in  two  parts. 

2  branches,  for  pole  yoke ;  2  rings. 
2  bolts,  for  collar  and  branches. 

1  washer,  for  muff;  1  key. 


2  shoulder  washers. 
2  linch  w^iBhers. 
2  linch  pins. 

2  wheels,  No.  1. 
1  ammunition  chest. 


Wheels. 

There  are  two  Nos.  of  wheels  for  field  carriages.  No.  1,  for 
the  6-pounder  gun  carriages,  the  caisson,  the  forge,  the  battery 
wagon,  and  for  the  limbers  of  all  field  carriages.  No.  2,  for  the 
24:-pounder  howitzer  and  the  12-pounder  gun  carriages.  These 
wheels  are  of  the  same  form  and  height,  and  they  fit  on  the  same 
axletree  arm :  they  differ  only  in  the  dimensions  of  their  parts, 
and  consequently  in  strength  and  weight. 


Wood. 


1  nave. 
14  spokes. 
7  fellies. 
7  dowels. 


Iron. 

2  broAv  bands ;  2  end  bands. 
12  nails,  for  bands. 
1  tire. 

7  tire  bolts ;  7  washers ;  7  nuts. 
1  nave  box  (cast  iron). 


Ammunition  Chest. 


The  same  ammunition  chest  is  adapted  to  the  limber  and  to  the 
caisson. 

For  the  interior  arrangements  of  the  chests,  for  different  kinds 
of  ammunition,  see  chapter  on  Ammunition. 


Wood. 


2  sides. 
2  ends. 
1  principa 
1  bottom. 


partition. 


1  frame  for  cover;  2 sides;  2  ends. 
1  panel  for  cover. 
1  cover  lining. 


29 


Iron. 


34  cut  nails,  for  sides,  ends   and. 
bottom. 

4  screws,  for  the  bottom. 
60  copper  nails,  for  cover  lining. 

4  corner  plates,  for  ends  and  sides. 

2  do.  for  ends  &  bottom. 

1  do.  for  side  &  bottom. 

96  screws,  for  comer  plates. 

1  assembling  bolt;  1  nut. 

1  tunibuckle  (brass). 

1  washer  plate  for  do. ;  2  screws. 


1  back  stay ;  6  screws. 

2  front  stays  ;  4  rivets ;  8  screws. 
2  hinges  ;  4  rivets  ;  20  screws. 

2  hinge  plates  ;  4  screws. 

1  hasp ;  1  rivet ;  5  screws. 

1  hasp  plate ;  2  screws. 

2  handles  ;  8  rivets. 

14  copper  washers,  for  rivets. 

56  copper  tacks,  for  washers. 

1  cover  (sheet  copper). 

216  copper  tacks,  for  cover. 


Caisson. —  Wood. 


1  middle  rail. 

2  side  rails. 
1  cross  bar. 

1  bolster,  for  front  foot  board. 


1  front  foot  board. 
1  rear  foot  board. 
1  axle  body. 
1  stock. 


Iron. 


2  nails,  for  front  foot  board. 

1  bolt,  for  do. ;  2  Avashers ;  1  nut. 

6  nails,  for  rear  foot  board. 

1  middle  assembling  bar. 

2  bolts,  2  washers  and  2  nuts,  for  do. 
1  carriage  hook. 

1  rear  assembling  bar. 

2  bolts,  2  washers  and  2  nuts,  for  do, 
1  bridle,  for  rear  of  middle  rail. 

4  nails,  for  the  bridle. 
J   spare  wheel  axle ;  the  body,  2  ribs, 
1  washer,  3  rivets. 

1  chain  and  toggle,  for  spare  wheel 

axle. 

2  stays,  for  the  same;  2  nuts. 
1  stay  bolt ;  1  nut. 

1  foot  bolt ;  1  nut. 
1  lock  chain  bridle. 

1  lock  chain  and  toggle. 

2  bolts,  for  lock  chain  bridle. 
2  washers  and  2  nuts,  for  do. 
1  lock  chain  hook  ;  2  nails. 

1  axletree. 

2  under  straps. 

4  bolts,  for  under  straps  ;  4  nuts. 
2  axle  bands ;  6  nails. 
2  rivets  for  the  stock ;  2  burrs. 
1  lunette ;  12  nails. 


2  lunette  bolts ;  2  nuts. 
1  key  plate,  for  spare  pole. 
1  spare  pole  key. 

1  key  chain ;  1  eye  pin. 

2  wheel  guard  plates ;  10  nails. 

1  stock  stirrup. 

2  bolts  for  do. ;  2  washers ;  2  nuts. 
1  axle  strap. 

1  spare  pole  ring. 

3  bolts,  for  axle  strap;  3  nuts. 

8  plates,  for  stay  pins ;  16  nails. 

4  stay  pins, 
stay  pin  keys. 

key  chains  ;  4  eye  pins, 
ring  bolt,  for  spare  handspike, 
washers  and  1  nut,  for  ring  bolt, 
key  plate,  for  handspike ;  2  nails. 

1  key  plate,  for  shovel ;  2  nails. 

2  keys,  for  handspike  and  shovel, 
key  chains  ;  2  eye  pins, 
staples,  for  tool  handles, 
shoulder  washers. 

linch  washers. 
linch  pins. 


2  wheels,  No.  1. 

2  ammunition  chests. 


30 


Travelling  Forge. 

It  consists  of  a  hody,  a  belloivs  house  and  coal  box.  For  parts, 
see  Ord.  Manual,  p.  42-43. 

To  put  the  bellows  in  its  j^lace. — Keraove  the  coal  box  from  the 
back  of  the  bellows  house ;  take  out  the  two  stay  plates  at  the 
lower  ends  of  the  rabbets  in  the  braces;  put  the  projecting  ends 
of  the  upper  bellows  arm  in  the  rabbets,  and  slide  them  up  until 
the  ends  of  the  lower  arm  come  into  their  places ;  put  on  the  stay 
plates,  and  fasten  them  down  with  the  thumb  nuts.  Screw  the 
brass  elbow  pipe  into  its  place,  through  the  hole  in  the  sheet  iron 
front  of  the  bellows  house ;  put  in  the  copper  pipe,  and  screw  up 
the  collar  which  connects  it  with  the  elbow  pipe. 

Limber  Chest  for  Travelling  Forge  and  Battery  Wagon. 

This  chest  differs  from  the  ammunition  chest  in  the  following 
points,  viz : 

It  has  no  principal  partition,  and  instead  of  the  assembling  bolt, 
with  the  washer  plate  and  turnbuckle,  it  has  a  hasp,  staple  and 
2Jlate,  fastened  by  2  rivets. 

The  backstay  is  fastened  by  1  rivet  and  6  screws.  The  heads 
of  the  rivets  are  not  covered  with  copper  washers. 

Battery  Wagon. 

The  battery  wagon  carries  tools,  spare  parts  of  carriages,  spare 
harness,  and  other  stores  required  for  the  service  of  a  battery  in 
the  field,  and  for  repairs. 

Prairie  carriage  for  the  12-pounder  mountain  howitzer  and 
mountain  rifle. — For  particular  parts,  see  Ord.  Manual,  2d  ed. 
p.  47-48. 

Prairie  ammunition  cart. — This  is  a  two-wheeled  cart  with 
shafts,  carrying  four  ammunition  chests,  and  one  implement  chest 
like  those  used  for  the  mountain  howitzer  ammunition.  The 
chests  are  held  in  place  by  stays  and  a  bar  fastened  with  a  spring 
catch  behind,  so  that  they  may  be  easily  detached.     The  wheels 


I 


31  ' 

are  like  those  of  the  gun  carriage,  and  have  the  same  track.  The 
shafts  have  hooks  at  their  front  ends  for  the  purpose  of  attaching 
another  horse  if  necessary,  though  one  horse  is  sufficient  for  the 
ordinary*  draught. 

Gun  Carriage  for  the  Mountain  Howitzer  and  Moun- 
tain ElFLE. 

This  gun  carnage  is  adapted  to  transportation  on  a  pack  mule ; 
but  for  occasional  draught,  when  the  roads  permit,  it  is  furnished 
with  a  thill,  which  is  used  with  the  same  saddle  that  carries  the 
pack.     For  parts,  see  Ord.  Manual,  2d  ed.  p.  50-51. 

Portable  forge. — This  is  used  when  the  capacity  of  a  travelling 
forge  is  not  required.     For  parts,  see  Ord.  Manual,  p.  51. 

SIEGE  CARRIAGES. 

Gun  Carriage. 

There  are  three  gun  carriages  for  siege  artillery,  viz : 
One  for  the  12-pounder  gun ; 
One  for  the  18-pounder  gun ; 

One  for  the  24-pounder  gun  and  the  8-incli  howitzer. 
These  carriages  are  constructed  in  the  same  manner,  differing 
only  in  their  dimensions. 

When  the  8-inch  howitzer  is  mounted  on  the  24-pounder  car- 
riage, a  quoin  is  used  instead  of  the  elevating  screw ;  the  howitzer 
being  too  short  to  rest  on  the  screw. 

GARRISON  AND  SEACOAST  CARRIAGES. 

The  garrison  and  seacoast  carriages  are  all  made  of  wrought 
iron.     They  are  of  four  diiFerent  kinds,  viz  : 

1.  The  Barbette,  front  pintle  carriage. 

2.  The  Barbette,  centre  pintle  carriage. 

3.  The  casemate  carriage. 

4.  The  flank  casemate  carriage. 

Each  carriage  is  composed  of  a  chassis  and  top  carriage.  The 
inclination  of  the  chassis  rails  is  the  same  in  all  the  carriages — 3°. 


32 


Preservation  of  Carriages. 


Wooden  carriages  ai>e  presented  in  atcII  ventilated  storeIiouse» 
protected  from  tlie  weather,  or,  in  the  field,  are  protected  from  the 
sun  bj  a  tarpaulin.  They  should  have  the-  paint  renewed  when 
it  is  worn  off. 


33 


Principal  dimensions  and  weights  of  Field  Gun  Carriages 
Limbers. 


DIMENSIONS. 


JbistanCe  between  the  inside  of  the  trunnion  plates, 
Diameter  of  the  trunnion  lioles,        .  .  .  . 

Depth  of  the  centre  of  trunnion  hole  below  the  upper 

face  of  the  trunnion  plate,  .  .  .  . 

Distance  of  axis  of  trunnions  in  rear  of  axis  of  axletree, 

the  piece  being  in  battery  on  horizontal  ground. 
Distance  from  axis  of  Irunuions  to  axis  of  axletree, 
Height  of  axis  of  trunnions  above  the  ground, 

Vertical  field  |  ^^«^«  *^^  horizontal  line.  \  gS^'jt^,,^     \ 

^f  ^•■^'  ^  below  the  horizontal  line.  \  S^^witzer,      - 

Distance  between  the  points  of  contact  of  trail  and  wheels 

with  the  ground  line,  ..... 

Distance  from  front  of  wheels  to  end  of  trail,  the  piece 

being  in  battery,        ...... 

Distance  of  the  muzzle  of  7  Gun,  in  front  of  wheels, 

the  piece  in  battery  from  >  TT       -l         ^  front  of  wheels, 

the  front  of  the  wheels.  )  "o^i^^cr,  <^  ^^^^  ^^  wheels, 
Length  of  gun  carriage  without  wheels, 
Length  of  limber  without  wheels, 
Length  of  limber  without  wheels  or  pole, 
Length  of  limber  with  wheels  and  pole, 
Distance  between  the  centres  of  theaxletrees  of  gun  car 

riage  and  limber,       ..... 
Length  of  the  carriage  limbered  up. 
Distance  from  the  muzzle  of  the  piece,  C  Gun, 

when  limbered,  to  the  front  of  pole.  X  Howitzer, 
Whole  length  of  the  axletree. 
Track  of  the  wheels,  .  -  .  . 

Height  of  wheel,  ..... 

Dish  of  finished  wheel. 


%i 

N 

•■s 

j; 

fl^ 

t^^ 

CM 

■  w 

jj 

■■A'- 

p, 

Weights. 


^  Gun  carriage,  without  wheels, 
Limber,  without  wheels  or  ammunition  chest. 
Ammunition  chest,  without  divisions, 
n„«  „,i,^^i      S  Grun  carriage,      - 
One  wheel.    J  timber,  - 

Gun  carriage  complete,  without  implements. 
Limber  complete,  without  implements, 
t  Gun  carriage  and  limber,  without  implements, 


9.6 
3.7 

1. 

0.5 
14.6 
43.1 
I'HP 
13° 
8° 
5° 

74.4 

116.6 
5.91 

1.09 

104.4 

161.2 

52.85 

173.08 

96. 
269.08 
279.1 
272.1 

78.84 

60. 

57. 
L5 

Lbs. 
540 
335 
165 
180 
180 
900 
860 

1760 


In. 

11.65 
4.25 

0.95 

1. 
16.2 

44.8 


130 

8° 

79.8 

122.75 

5.9 

111.4 

161.2 

52.85 

173.08 

101.7 
274.78 

283.78 
78.84 
60. 
57. 
L5 

Lbs. 
736 
335 
165 
196 
180 

1128 


34 


Field  and  Siege  Wagons. 


DIMENSIONS  AND  WEIGHTS. 

1 

1 

1 

'3 

o 

1 

o 

^ 

« 

s 

In. 

In. 

In. 

In. 

Length,            ...... 

12,5  5 

130. 

154. 

143  6 

Distance  between  the  axletreeg  of  carriage  and 

limber,          ...... 

92. 

97.8 

112.93 

102.95 

Whole  length,  when  limbered  up, 

274.7 

279. 

303.13 

287.85 

Height,  above  the  ground, 

58.75 

70.5 

73.55 

60. 

Lb.s. 

Lbs. 

Lbs. 

Lbs. 

r  Carriage  body,  without  wheels, 

1  Limber,  without  wheels  or  chest,    - 

432 

997 

910 

984 

335 

335 

335 

585 

Weight,  -l  One  wheel,       -           -           -     ■      - 

180 

180 

180 

404 

Carriage  and  limber,  complete,  with- 

out implements  or  spare  parts,      - 

1982 

2217 

2130 

3186 

35 


CHAP.  IV. 
ARTILLERY  IMPLEMENTS  &  EQUIPMENTS. 

NOMENCLATURE. 

Rammer  heads  are  made  of  ash,  maple,  or  other  tough  woods. 
For  hoAvitzers  they  are  countersunk  to  receive  the  fuzes  in  ram- 
ming shells. 

Sponge  heads  are  made  one  inch  less  than  the  diameter  of  the 
bore. 

Sponges  are  made  of  coarse  well  twisted  woolen  yarn  woven 
into  a  warp  of  strong  thread,  after  the  manner  of  the  Brussels 
carpet.  They  are  also  made  of  sheep-skin,  alum  dressed,  with 
the  wool  on. 

Sponge  covers  are  made  of  Eussia  duck  or  cam'^as,  painted  the 
same  color  as  the  gun  carriage.  '        «    • 

Ladles  are  made  of  sheet  copper,  and  are  used  for  siege,  gar- 
rison and  seacoast  guns  only. 

Handspikes. — The  trail  handspike  is  made  of  TOckory  or  young 
oak,  and  is  used  in  the  service  of  field  carriages.  The  manceuvre- 
ing  handspike  is  used  with  garrison  and  seacoast  carriages.  The 
■shod  handspike  is  useful  in  the  service  of  mortars  of  casemate 
and  barbette  carriages.  The  truck  handspike  and  roller  hand- 
spike are  made  of  wrought  iron,  and  used  for  casemate  carriages. 

Linstock. — Length  of  wood  31 .5  inches ;  lower  end  pointed 
with  iron :  used  to  hold  the  slow-match  when  lighted. 

Portfre  stock.— ^It  has  a  portfire  socket  made  of  brass,  with  a 
thumb  screw,  fastened  to  a  stock  of  ash  22.5  inches  long.  It  is 
used  to  hold  the  portfire. 

Pass  box. — Interior  dimensions  7  inches  square  by  14  inches 
long. 

Budge  barrel. — 20  inches  in  height,  13  inches  in  diameter,  with 
a  leather  hood  over  top  :  used  in  forts  for  carrying  ammunition. 

Gunner's  haversack,  made  of  leather;  2  sides,  13  inches  high, 
13  inches  wide. 


S9 

Port  fire  case,  made  of  sole  leather,  to  contain  12  port  fifeef. 

Tube  pouch,  made  of  leather ;  the  sides  4.25  inches  high,  7.25 
inches  long.  The  priming  wire  and  gunner's  gimlet  are  carried 
with  the  tube  pouch  in  the  loops. 

Priming  wire :  iron  wire  0.75  inch  diameter,  formed  with  a 
ring  2  inches  diameter  at  the  head,  and  pointed ;  length  of  stem, 
for  siege  and  garrison  guns,  14  inches;  length  for  field  gunsr 
8  inches. 

Gunner's  gimlet,  like  the  priming  wire,  terminating  in  a  gimlet 
point. 

Vent  punch:  the  body  (steel  wire)  0.175  inch  diameter,  4.3 
inches  long. 

Thumbstall  (buckskin) :  cushion,  stuffed  with  hair,  9.5  inchesr 
long,  1  inch  thick. 

Port  fire  cutter:  blades  (steel)  2.37  inches  long,  with  a  notch 
1  inch  long  and  0.4  inch  deep  in  one  of  them,  1  inch  from  the- 
joint — handles  with  bolv's  2  inches  by  1  inch  =— whole  length  7  inches. 

Tart^ent  scale  (sheet  brass.  No.  13) :  flange  0.5  inch  wide,  cut 
to  fit  the  base  ring  of  the  piece ;  upper  edge  cut  into  notches  for 
each  i  degree  dypvation. 

Table  of  Tangent  Scales  for  Field  Guns  and  Howitzers^ 


SUNS. 

HOWITZ-ERS. 

ELEVATION. 

6-pdr. 

12-pclr. 

12-pdr. 

24-pdr. 

32-pdr. 

1°15' 
go 

3° 

40 

Inches. 

0.256 
1.025 
2.051 

3.077 

Inches. 

0.333 
1.334 
2.670 
4.006 

Inches. 

0.252 
0.945 
1.870 
2.791 

Inches. 

0.289 
].138 
2.271 
3.400 

Inches, 

0.331 
1.3J0 
2.618 
3.920 

Pendulum  hausse,  or  tangent  scale. 

The  scale  is  made  of  sheet  brass,  No.  13.  At  the  lower  end  is 
a  brass  bulb,  filled  with  lead.  The  slider  is  of  thin  brass,  and  is 
retained  in  any  desired  position  on  the  scale  by  means  of  a  brass 


St 

get  screw  with  a  milled  head.  The  scale  is  passed  through  a  slit 
in  a  piece  of  steel,  with  whieh  it  is  connected  by  a  brass  screw^ 
forming  a  pivot  on  which  the  scale  can  Tib  rate  laterally ;  this  slit 
is  made  long  enough  to  allow  the  scale  to  take  a  vertical  position 
in  any  ordinary  cases  of  inequality  of  the  ground  on  which  the 
wheels  of  the  carriage  may  stand.  The  ends  of  this  piece  of  steel 
form  two  journals,  by  means  of  which  the  scale  is  supported  on 
the  seat  attached  to  the  gun,  and  is  at  liberty  to  yibrate  in  the  di- 
rection of  the  axis  of  the  piece. 

The  seat  is  of  iron,  and  is  fastened  to  the  base  of  the  breech  by 
3  screws^  in  such  a  manner  that  the  centres  of  the  two  journal 
notches  shall  be  at  a  distance  from  the  axis  equal  to  the  radius  of 
the  base  ring. 

A  muzzle  sight,  of  iron,  is  screwed  into  the  swell  of  the  muzzle 
of  guns,  or  into  the  middle  of  the  muzzle  ring  of  howitzers.  The 
height  of  this  sight  is  equal  to  the  dispart  of  the  piece,  bo  that  8, 
line  from  the  top  of  the  muzzle  sight  to  the  pivot  of  the  tangen€ 
scale  is  parallel  to  the  asis  of  the  piece ;  consequently,  the  verti- 
cal plane  of  sight  passing  through  the  centre  line  of  the  scale  and 
the  top  of  the  muzzle  sight,  will  be  also  parallel  to  the  axis,  in 
any  position  of  the  piece  ;  the  tangent  scale  will,  therefore,  always 
indicate  correctly  the  angle  which  the  plane  of  sight  makes  with 
the  axis. 

The  seat  for  suspending  the  hausse  on  the  gun  is  adapted  in 
each  piece,  according  to  the  varying  inclination  of  the  base  of  the 
breech  to  the  axis.  The  hausse,  the  seat  and  the  muzzle  sight, 
are  marked  for  the  kind  of  gun  to  which  they  belong.  The 
hausse,  when  not  in  tise,  is  carried  in  a  leather  pouch  suspended 
to  a  shoulder  strap. 

The  graduations  on  the  scale  are  the  tangents  of  each  quarter 
of  a  degree,  to  a  radius  equal  to  the  ilJi-jtance  between  the  muzzle 
sight  and  the  centre  of  the  journal  nutclx'S,  which  are,  in  all  cases, 
one  inch  in  rear  of  the  base  ring. 

In  some  rifled  cannon  the  sight  is  placed  on  tlie  trunnion  instead 
of  the  muzzle.  The  breech  sight  is  then  placed  on  the  side,  so 
that  the  line  of  the  sights  is  in  a  vertical  plane  parallel  to  the  axis 


38 


of  the  bore.  In  all  rifled  cannon  the  projectile  deviates  in  the 
direction  in  which  it  revolves,  to  the  right.  This  deviation  is  to 
be  obviated  in  practice,  by  pointing  to  the  left  of  the  object. 

Tangent  Scales  for   Pendulum    Hausses  for   Field  Guns  and 
Howitzers. 


i              — 

FOR  GUN'S. 

FOR  HOWITZERS. 

Gptlr. 

12-pdr. 

12-pdr. 

! 
24-pclr.    32-pdi'. 

i 

In. 

In. 

In. 

In. 

In. 

Radius 

of  base  ? 

5.15 

6.5 

5.0 

6.0 

6.9 

ring, 

\ 

Dispart 

- 

1.025 

1.33 

0.9 

1.125 

1.3 

Height  of  muzzle 
sight. 

Tang. 

1° 

1.042 

1.349 

0.931 

1.128 

1.310 

2° 

2.084 

2.698 

1.862 

2.275 

2.621 

3° 

8.124 

4.046 

2.792 

3.412 

3.933 

40 

4.164 

5.392 

3.722 

4.548 

5.248 

5° 

5.203 

6.737 

4.650 

5.683 

6.566 

Gunner'' s  level. — This  is  made  of  sheet  brass ;  the  lower  part 
is  cut  in  the  form  of  a  crescent,  the  points  of  which  are  made 
of  steel ;  a  small  spirit  level  is  fastened  to  one  side  of  the  plate, 
parallel  to  the  line  joining  the  points  of  the  crescent,  and  a  slider 
is  fastened  to  the  same  side  of  the  plate,  perpendicular  to  the  axis 
of  the  level.  The  instrument  is  useful  in  marking  the  points  of 
sight  on  siege  guns  and  mortars  when  the  platform  is  not  per- 
fectly level. 

Vent  cover,  for  field  pieces  (leather) ;  6  inches  long,  4  inches 
wide,  with  a  copper  pin  riveted  to  it.  The  length  of  the  strap 
varies  with  the  size  of  the  piece.  In  permanent  batteries  sheet 
lead  may  be  used  for  vent  covers. 

Fuze  setter  (brass) ;  the  handle,  upper  end  slightly  rounded, 
the  cup  2.1  inches  diameter;  depth,  0.3  inch.  Whole  length,  5 
to  6  inches. 

Fuze  mallet  (dogwood  or  oak),  in  one  piece ;  head,  5.5  inche* 


39 

long,  4  inches  diameter;  handle,  7.5  inches  long,  1.25  inch  di- 
ameter. 

Fuze  saw  (tenon  saw) ;  10  inch  blade. 
Fuze  rasp  ;  12  inch  wood  rasp. 

Fuze  auger,  for  boring  out  the  composition  to  any  required 
depth.  Bit  0.2  inch  diameter,  sliding  in  a  brass  socket  graduated 
to  lOths  of  an  inch,  and  held  by  a  thumb  screw  in  the  side ;  haii- 
dle,  of  hard  wood. 

Fuze  gimlet ;  common  gimlet,  0.2  :  used  for  boring  across  the 
composition  instead  of  sawing  off  the  fuze. 

Shell  plug  screiv  (iron) ;  stem  3  inches  long,  cut  with  a  deep, 
sharp  thread ;  eye  2  inches  in  diameter. 

Fuze  plug  reamer. — A  conical  steel  reamer,  for  reaming  the 
holes  for  paper  fuzes  in  the  wooden  fuze  plugs. 

Fuze  extractor. — The  inner  screw  and  its  stem  are  made  of 
steel,  and  riveted  into  the  handle,  which  is  of  iron.  It  is  used 
for  extracting  fuzes. 

Gunner'' s  pincers. — Made  of  iron,  with  steel  jaws  1  inch  wide; 
whole  length  10.5  inches. 

Gunner^s  callipers. ^-Mude  of  sheet  brass,  with  steel  points. 
The  graduations  show  the  diameters  of  guns  and  of  shot,  linear 
inches,  degrees  of  the  circle,  etc. 

Guyinefs  quadrant  (wood) ;  a  graduated  quadrant  of  6  inches 
radius  attached  to  a  rule  23.5  inches  long.  It  has  a  plumb  line 
and  bob,  which  are  carried,  when  not  in  use,  in  a  hole  in  the  end 
of  the  rule,  covered  by  a  brass  plate. 

Maul,  for  driving  pickets;  head  (elm  or  hickory)  6  inches  di- 
ameter, 8  inches  long ;  handle  (ash)  1^  inch  diameter,  24  inches 
long,  with  an  iron  band  on  each  end,  1  inch  wide,  i  inch  thick. 
Pointing  ivire,  for  mortars  (iron  wire  No.  7) ;  20  inches  long. 
Quoin,  for  siege  mortars  (oak) :  length,  19.5  inches ;  height, 
7.85  inches ;  handle,  6  inches  long. 

Chock,  for  casemate  carriage ;  small  wedge,  with  a  handle  on 
one  side. 

Plummet,  for  mortars;  line  and  bob. 

Scraper,  for  do.  (iron) ;  handle  0.5  inch  by  0.3  inch  square,  27 
inches  long;  one  end  formed  like  a  spoon  :  the  other,  a  scraper. 


40 

Spatula,  for  mortars  (ash  or  hickorj') ;  handle,  16.5  inches  long"} 
hlade,  6  inches ;  square  end,  3  inches  long-. 

Splints  (white  pine) ;  6  inches  long ;  0.25  inch  thick  at  the 
large  end ;  1  inch  Avide. 

Wiper,  for  the  chambers  of  mortars ;  tow  cloth,  1  yard  square. 

Gunner's  sleeve,  for  mortars  (r-erge  or  flannel). 

Basket,  for  mortar  implements :  of  strong'  wicker  work,  18 
inches  in  diameter,  12  inches  deep. 

Tarpaulins  are  made  of  two  sizes  :  large,  15  by  12  feet ;  small, 
6  feet  square. 

Tompions,  for  8-inch  siege  howitzers  and  mortars,  and  10-inch 
mortar. 

Broom,  for  mortar  batteries  (hickory  or  birch). 

Shell  hocks  (iron) ;  2  branches,  0.5  inch  diameter,  in  shape  of 
an  5,  joined  by  a  rivet.     Used  for  lifting  large  shells. 

Totv  hook  (iron);  handle,  0.4  inch  diameter,  13  inches  long; 
hook,  1  inch ;  the  other  end  forms  a  hammer,  0.6  inch  diameter,  2 
inches  long.     Used  for  unpacking  limber  chest. 

Funnel,  for  filling  shells  (copper  or  tin):  diameter  of  funnel, 
8.3  inches  ;  diameter  of  pipe,  0.7  inch ;  length  of  pipe,  2  inches. 

Potvder  measures.- — They  are  made  of  sheet  copper,  from  No. 
16  to  No.  20.  The  bottom  is  made  with  a  flange  .1  inch  deep, 
turned  downwardsj  and  it  is  brazed  or  soldered  to  the  sides. 

Prolonge.-^S.5  inch  hemp  rope  of  4  strands ;  on  one  end  a 
toggle,  and  3  round  links  in  a  thimble  ;  on  the  other  end  a  hook 
and  a  thimble. 

Sponge  bucket  for  field  gun  carriages,  made  of  sheet  iron.  Di- 
ameter 7.8  inches ;  height  9  inches. 

Tar  bucket,  made  of  sheet  iron.  Diameter  7.2  inches ;  height 
8  inches. 

Water  bucket,  for  travelling  forge,  made  of  oak.  Diameter  at 
top  11  inches;  bottom  10.25  inches;  heiglit  11  inches. 

Watering  bucket  for  field  service,  haade  of  sole  leather,  bottom 
of  two  thicknesses.  Interior  diameter  of  bucket  at  top  12  inches ; 
at  bottom  10  inches ;  height  9  inches^ 


41 


Interior  dimensions  of  Cylindrical  Powder  Measures, 


Contents. 

Diameter 
and  height. 

Contents. 

Diameter 
and  height. 

Lbs.     oz. 

In. 

Lbs.     OZ. 

In. 

0        1 

1.337 

2          0 

4.240 

0        2 

1.685 

2        8 

4.571 

0        4 

2.122 

3        0 

4.857 

0        8 

2.673 

4        0 

5.346 

1        0 

3  368 

4        8 

5.560 

1        4 

3.628 

6        0 

6.120 

]         8 

3.85.5 

8        0 

6.7.36 

Shovel. — Blade,  sheet  iron,  pointed  with  steel. 

PicJc  axe. — Iron,  pointed  at  both  ends  with  steeL 

Felling  axe. — Blade,  with  steel  edge,  and  hickory  handle,  27 
inches  long. 

Hand  hill,  or  Bill  hook. — Iron,  with  steel  edges.  Whole  length 
Z>^ac/e,  8.25  inches;  hook  1  inch  long;  handle  (hickory),  7.5  inches 
long. 

Drag  rope. — 4  inch  rope,  28  feet  long,  with  a  thimhle  worked 
in  a  loop  at  one  end,  and  a  thimble  and  hook  at  the  other  end — 
6  handles,  wood,  12  inches  long,  1.5  inch  diameter,  fastened  to 
the  rope  at  the  distance  of  4  feet  apart,  and  at  the  same  distance 
from  the  ends  of  the  rope. 

Men's  harness. — 4  inch  rope,  18  feet  long,  with  thimbles  and  a 
hook.  Instead  of  handles,  loops  made  of  leather  are  used,  and 
fastened  to  the  rope  in  pairs. 

Screw  jack,  for  field  service.'  Height  of  stand  19  inches ;  length 
of  screw  15  inches. 


42 


Weights  of  Implements  and  Equipments. 


KIND. 

•a 

KIND 

Lbs. 

Lbs. 

r42-pdr. 

0.7 

Fuze  plug  reamer, 

0.3 

32-prlr. 

0.65 

Fuze  extractor, 

3.53 

Woolen  spongcB,    ^f^^^^^'        [ 

0.5 
04 

Gunner's  pincers, 
Gunner's  callipers. 

0  85 
0  5 

12-pdr. 

0.35 

Gunner's  quadrant 

wood. 

0  84 

6-pdr. 

0  25 

Gunner's  perpendicular. 

0.6 

Sponge  covers,        { t^:       ! 

0  28 
0.14 

Maul, 
Pointing  wire. 

" 

10. 
0.08 

Trail  handspikes, 

7.25 

Quoin,  for  siege  mortars. 

7. 

Manoeuvreing  handspike, 

8.28 

Chock,      - 

1.4 

Shod   handspike  and  long  ma- 

... { 

Plummet, 

1. 

noeuvreing  liandspike, 

Scraper, 

2.3 

Truck  handspike, 

18.5 

Spatula, 

0.75 

Roller  handspike, 

Splint, 

0.03 

Linstock, 

ag 

Gunner's  sleeve, 

0.25 

Port-fire  stock,     - 

0  65 

Basket,     - 

4. 

Pass  box. 
Budge  barrel, 

7. 
15.5 

Tarpaulins, 

C  Small,     - 
I  Large,     - 

9. 
54. 

Gunner's  haversack, 
Port-fire  case. 

1.86 
1.55 

Mortar  tompions, 

C    8-inch,   - 
UO-inch,  - 

5. 

7. 

Tube  pouch, 

0.95 

Broom  (hickorv), 

3.75 

Priming  horn, 

0.86 

Shell  hooks,     '    - 

2. 

Priming  wire. 

0.08 

Tow  hooks. 

0  6 

Gunner's  gimlet, 

0.08 

Funnel, 

0  32 

Vent  pouch, 

0.08 

(4  oz. 

0.3 

Thumbstall, 
Port -fire  cutter,    - 

0  003 
0  77 

Powder  measures. 

J  8  oz. 
1  1  lb. 

05 
C.75 

Tangent  scale, 

0.21 

[3  lbs.       - 

1.6 

Pendulum  hausse  and  case, 

0  65 

Prolouge, 

- 

.18. 

Cannon  lock, 

2.75 

Sponge  bucket. 

10. 

Lock  cover, 

0.9 

'i'ar  bucket, 

. 

7. 

Vent  cover, 

0.45 

Water  bucket,  wood,     - 

10. 

Lanyard  for  friction  primers,     - 

0.10 

Watering  bucket,  leather. 

8. 

Fnze  setter, 

2.66 

Shovel, 

475 

Fuze  mallet, 

2  75 

Pickaxe, 

6.5 

Fuze  saw. 

0.75 

Felling  axe, 

6. 

Fuze  rasp, 

0.75 

Hand  bill, 

2. 

Fuze  anger. 

03 

Drag  rope, 

16.5 

Fuze  gimlet. 

0  1 

Men's  harness,     - 

23. 

Shell  plug  screw, 

0  31 

Screw  jack, 

25. 

43 

CHAP.  V.    *  ♦ 

ARTILLERY  HARNESS. 

The  construction  of  the  field  carriages  requires  a  harness  dif- 
ferent, in  some  respects,  from  that- of  common  -nagons.  The 
limber  having  no  sweep  bar,  the  pole  is  supported  directly  by  the 
wheel  horses,  by  means  of  a  chain  which  connects  the  hames 
with  the  pole  yoke  of  the  Hmber;  and,  in  order  to  diminish  the 
weight  at  the  end  of  the  pole,  the  leading  bars  are  dispensed  with, 
the  traces  of  the  leaders  being  attached  to  those  of  the  wheel 
horses. 

The  same  harness  is  perfectly  adapted,  also,  to  the  siege  car- 
riages; but  as  these  are  arranged  for  draught  in  the  ordinary 
manner,  common  wagon  harness  may  be  used  with  them  if  ne- 
cessary. 

Black  leather  is  used  for  the  harness  when  not  otherwise  speci- 
fied. It  should  be  of  the  best  quality,  and  the  strongest  leather 
is  selected  for  the  parts  which  are  exposed  to  the  greatest  strain, 
such  as  traces  and  breeching. 

Head  gear. — The  head  gear  is  made  of  strong  black  bridle 
leather,  not  less  than  .1  inch  thick.  It  consists  of  the  halter,  the 
Iridic  and  the  hit. 

The  hit  is  made  of  iron,  japanned.  The  curh  chain  consists  of 
19  links. 

Driver^s  saddle. — The  frame  is  made  of  beech,  and  covered 
with  canvas  or  raw  hide. 

Valise  saddle. — The  frame  like  the  driver's  saddle,  only 
smaller. 

Valise — made  of  black  bridle  leather,  lined  with  cotton  ticking. 

Whip. — The  stock  is  of  hickory  or  raw  hide,  about  30  inches 
long. 

Leg  guard. — The  body  is  made  of  stout  kip  leather,  with  a 
plate  of  iron  0.1  inch  thick  fastened  to  it. 


44 

Nose  hag. — The  bottom  is  made  of  stiff  leather,  6  inches  di- 
ameter and  4  inches  deep,  to  which  a  bag  of  strong  linen  is  sewed. 

Draught   harness. — If  consists  of  the  collar,  the  hames,  the  i; 
traces,  the  crupper. 

Breeching  includes  the  breech  strap,  the  hip  strap,  the  breast 
strap,  the  pole  strap.  The  breast  strap  and  pole  strap  are  made 
of  three  layers  of  thick  harness  leather. 

Pole  jfad  is  placed  on  the  end  of  the  pole  to  prevent  the  lead 
horses  from  being  injured. 

Pack-Saddle  and  Harness  for  Mountain  Artillery. 

The  mountain  howitzer  and  its  carriage  are  either  carried  on 
pack-miiles,  or  the  gun  is  mounted  on  the  carriage  and  drawn  by 
mules  harnessed  to  it. 

The  ammunition,  forage  and  tool  chests  are  carried  on  pack- 
mules  ;  or,  when  the  roads  are  good,  may  be  carried  in  common 
carts. 

The  equipment  is  the  same  whether  the  gun  and  carriage  are 
packed  or  drawn,  except  that  the  lashing-girth  and  lashing-rope 
are  not  required  for  draught. 

Composition. — The  harness  complete  is  composed  of  the  head 
gear,  the  pack  saddle — which  is  common  for  packing  the  gun  car- 
riage or  chests — the  crupper,  the  breeching,  the  breast  strap,  and 
the  lashing  girth  and  rojje. 

Packing  the  Mountain  Howitzer. 
* 
The  howitzer  is  placed  on  the  pack  saddle,  the  muzzle  to  the 

front,  in  the  recesses  cut  in  the  bows  and  transoms :  it  is  lashed 
"with  the  lashing  rope.  The  shafts  are  placed  upside  down  on  the 
same  pack  saddle,  the  cross  bar  on  the  neck  of  the  cascable  :  the 
shafts  are  lashed  with  the  bow  straps. 

The  carriage  is  placed  on  the  pack  saddle,  the  axletree  against 
the  front  face  of  the  front  bow  :  it  is  fastened  by  the  lashing  rope. 
The  wheels  are  placed  on  the  same  pack  with  the  carriage,  one 
on  each  side,  the  small  end  of  the  nave  against  the  pack  between 


45 

the  bows,  one  of  the  spokes  resting  on  the  arm  of  the  axletree ; 
they  are  lashed  with  the  bow  straps. 

The  ammunition  chests  are  suspended  with  chains,  on  hooks, 
on  each  side  of  the  pack,  and  lashed  with  lashing  ropes. 

To  place  the  Howitzer  on  the  Saddle. 

Three  men  load  the  howitzer  on  the  mule.  Introduce  the  ram- 
mer head  into  the  bore ;  place  the  loop  of  the  handspike  over  the 
cascable ;  carry  the  piece  to  the  saddle,  approaching  by  the  croup ; 
raise  it  and  place  it  in  its  bed.  Three  men  load  the  carriage, 
taking  hold  of  it  by  the  arms  of  the  axletree  and  by  the  end  of 
the  trail. 

Four  men  load  two  ammunition  chests  and  hook  the  4  chains 
at  the  same  time.  The  load  ought  to  be  fastened  securely,  so  as 
to  form  as  it  were  a  part  of  the  animal,  and  should  be  raised  as 
little  as  possible  above  the  mule's  back. 

HORSE  EQUIPMENTS  FOR  THE  CAVALRY  SERVICE. 

A  complete  set  of  horse  equipments  for  cavalry  troops  consists 
of  1  bridle.,  1  watering  bridle.,  1  halter.,  1  saddle,  I  pair  of  saddle 
bags,  1  saddle  blanket,  1  surcingle,  1  pair  of  spurs,  1  curry  comb, 
1  horse  brush,  1  j^if^kct  i^in,  and  1  lariat  (1  link  and  1  nose  bag, 
when  specially  required). 

The  saddle  adopted  in  the  C.  S.  service  is  known  as  Jenifer's 
saddle. 

General  Directions  for  Shoeinct  Horses. 

The  shoe  should  be  forged  to  fit  the  form  of  the  foot :  it  should 
project  on  the  outside  at  the  end  of  the  heel  about  its  thickness, 
beginning  at  the  last  hole ;  should  be  flush  with  the  hoof  at  the 
toe  and  on  the  inside ;  the  heels  generally  short  and  thin.  The 
holes  in  the  outer  quarter  should  be  farther  from  the  edge,  and  in 
,tlie  inner  quarter  nearer  the  edge ;  in  the  front  shoe  nearer  the 
toe,  and  in  the  hind  shoe  nearer  the  heel.  Make  the  lower  face 
of  the  shoe  perfectly  flat,  and  try  it  on  an  iron  table.    The  shoe 


46 


ehould  bear  equally  all  around  on  the  wall  of  the  foot,  and  not  at 
all  on  the  sole. 

A  judicious  preparation  of  the  foot  for  the  shoe  is  of  the  greatest 
importance,  strict  attention  being  paid  to  fts  peculiarities. 

Shoes  sliould  not  be  allowed  to  remain  on  more  than  five  weeks, 
when  they  should  be  removed,  the  useless  hoof  paired  off,  and  the 
shoe  replaced  if  it  still  be  good.  This  should  be  regulated  by  the 
length  of  the  hoof  rather  than  by. the  wear  of  the  shoe.  Rough 
shoeing  differs  from  ordinary  shoeing  only  in  the  form  of  the  nails, 
the  heads  being  longer  and  more  pointed. 

Harness  required  for  each  Horse. 


6 

WHEELERS. 

LEADERS. 

1 

4 

aJ 

2 

o 

i 

•z 

•a 

'» 

rH 

s 

§ 

•3 
5t3 

s 

it: 

'1 

cc 

^ 

,  o 

^ 

C 

Lbs. 

Hnlter,                 

1 

1 

3.0 

Bridle,                 

1 

1 

3.0 

Coupling-strap,              .... 

- 

_ 

0.5 

Driver's  saddle,               .... 

1 

]. 

1H.25 

Valise-saddle,     ..... 

_ 

_ 

7.78 

Valine,                   

_ 

_ 

4.5 

Collar  and  cnllar-Kfrnp,              -            -  '         - 

_ 

1 

4.25 

Haines  and  strap  and  2  turning-straps, 

_ 

1 

9.25 

I"""'— .U'S.,    :      :      : 

- 

1 

9.75 
11.75 

Trace-loops  and  belly-band,     - 

- 

1 

1. 

Loin-straps  and  trace-loops,    ^  J^^'j^j-Jg^       \ 

: 

1 

0.75 
0.875 

Crupper,              ..... 

- 

1 

0.75 

Breeching  and  hip-gfrap. 

_ 

1 

- 

3.G 

Breast-strap,       ..... 

_ 

1 

_ 

4.75 

Leg-guard,          -            .            .            .            . 

_ 

1 

- 

2. 

Whip,                   

_ 

1 

- 

0:35 

Nose-bag,             ..... 

_ 

1 

1 

1.12 

Pole-strap  (on  the  carriage-pole), 

_ 

1 

- 

2, 

Pole-pad,         "                   "                   -            - 

- 

- 

- 

- 

L5 

Lbs. 

Lbs. 

Lbs. 

Lbs. 

(  For  each  horse. 

- 

59  82 

54,9 

5l.fi() 

4777 

Weight.  < 

(  Set  for  2  horsew. 

- 

11 

18-2 

9f 

.37 

47 


Preservation  of  Harness  in  Store. 

-  The  store  houses  should  be  well  ventilated,  not  too  dry,  but  free 
from  dampness.  The  different  articles  should  be  arranged  accord- 
ing- to  liind  and  class,  separated  or  in  bundles  according  to  their 
nature,  so  placed  as  to  touch  each  other  and  the  walls  as  little  as 
possible,  having  a  free  circulation  of  air  about  them — saddles  on 
trestles  or  bars — collars  hung  on  pins — haynes,  with  their  straps, 
and  traces  with  chains  and  hooks,  hung  up ;  the  traces  hanging 
vertically — side  straps  and  hellybands  piled  on  the  floor  or  on 
shelves — surcingles  and  breast  strops  stretched  on  racks — halters^ 
bridles,  reins,  etc.,  hung  up  in  bundles  of  five  or  ten — hames 
straps,  collar^ straps,  etc.,  hung  up  in  bundles  of  ten  or  twenty — 
hits,  curb  chains,  trace  hooks,  in  boxes. 

All  these  articles  should  be  examined  and  cleaned  at  least  four 
times  a  year. 

The  leather  articles  are  brushed  and  greased  with  neat^s  foot 
oil,  as  often  as  their  condition  requires  :  if  they  have  a  reddish 
hue,  mix  a  little  lamp  black  with  the  oil.  First  brush  the  leather 
carefully,  then  pass  over  it  a  sponge  wet  with  lukewarm  water; 
grease  it  slightly  on  the  hair  side,  applying  the  oil  with  a  soft 
brush  before  the  leather  is  quite  dry.  In  general,  new  leather  is 
not  greased  until  it  has  been  in  store  three  years,  unless  ft  should 
be  found  to  require  it.  Iron  parts  which  are  not  japanned  or 
tinned,  or  from  which  the  coating  is  rubbed  off,  are  greased  with 
tallow. 


48 


CHAP.  VI. 
SMALL  ARMS,  SWORDS,  SABRES,  &c. 

History  of  Small  Arms  akd  Projectiles. 

Portable  Jire  arms  were  invented  about  the  middle  of  the  14th 
century.  They  consisted  of  a  tube  of  iron  fired  from  a  support, 
aud  weighed  about  75  pounds. 

Arquehuse. — The  difficulty  of  firing  "hand  cannon,"  arising 
from  their  weight,  was  overcome  by  making  them  shorter,  and 
supporting  them  on  a  tripod  by  means  of  trunnions.  They  were 
called  arquebuses,  and  fired  with  a  match  by  the  hand. 

Pistol. — The  first  pistol  was  a  wheel  lock  arquebuse,  invented 
1545,  in  Pistoia,  a  city  of  Tuscany ;  hence  its  name. 

Musket. — The  musket  was  first  used  by  the  Spaniards,  under 
Charles  V.  The  balls  weighed  2  ounces,  and  the  piece  had  to  be 
supported  on  a  forked  stick.  The  calibre  was  afterwards  reduced ; 
and  hence  the  present  smooth  bored  musket. 

Match  lock. — To  avoid  disturbing  the  aim,  a  lock  was  devised, 
which  consisted  of  a  lever  holding  at  its  extremity  a  lighted  match. 
The  lever  was  pressed  down  with  the  finger  until  the  end  of  the 
match  touched  the  priming. 

Wheel  lock,  invented  1517,  consisted  of  a  grooved  wheel  of 
steel,  made  to  act  on  a  piece  of  alloy  of  iron  and  antimony,  placed 
near  the  priming  charge  of  powder. 

Flint  lock,  derived  from  the  wheel  lock  by  substituting  flint  and 
a  steel  battery  for  the  wheel  and  the  alloy,  was  generally  intro- 
duced in  the  French  army  in  1680. 

Percussion  lock  was  introduced  in  1842,  and  now  all  arms  are 
made  with  this  lock.  The  percussion  cap  was  invented  in  the 
United  States  in  1817. 

Bayonet. — Before  the  invention  of  the  bayonet  fire  arms  were 
combined  with  pikes  in  such  a  manner  that  one  affbrded  protec- 
tion to  the  other.    It  was  first  made  at  Bayonne  1640 ;  hence  its 


49 

i-iame.  It  was  formed  of  a  steel  blade  attached  to  a  handle  of 
wood,  which  was  inserted  into  the  bore  of  the  barrel  when  used. 
Afterwards  the  wooden  handle  was  replaced  by  a  hollow  socket, 
thus  rendering-  the  musket  a  pike  as  well  as  a  fire  arm,  changing 
the  formation  of  infantry  from  six  ranks  to  three  and  two. 

Rijle. — The  rifle  first  made  its  appeamnce  at  Leipsic  1498. 
The  grooves  were  parallel  to  the  axis  of  the  bore,  for  the  purpose 
of  diminishing  friction.  It  was  accidental!}'  discovered  that  spiral 
grooves  gave  greater  accuracy  to  the  projectile.  About  1600  ife 
was  somewhat  used  as  a  military  arm  for  firing  spherical  balls. 

Accuracy  of  the  rifle. — In  1742  Robins  pointed  out  the  supe- 
riority of  the  elongated  form  of  projectile,  and  demonstrated  that 
the  irregular  deviations  of  the  projectile  fired  from  a  smooth  bored 
musket,  were  due  to  the  revolution  of  the  ball  'around  an  axis  not 
coincident  with  the  axis  of  the  bore ;  thus  producing  by  the  re- 
sistance of  the  air  an  unequal  pressure  on  the  sides  of  the  ball. 
This  irregular  revolution  is  due  to  the  eccentricity  of  the  centre 
of  gravity  of  the  ball,  and  the  position  which  the  centre  of  gravity 
occupies  m  reference  to  the  axis  of  the  bore,  together  with  the 
lodgments  of  the  ball  near  the  muzzle.  When  by  the  grooves  of 
the  rifle  the  projectile  is  made  to  revolve  on  an  axis  coincident 
with  the  axis  of  the  bore,  tlxere  is  no  inequality  in  the  resistance 
of  the  air  on  the  sides  of  the  projectile,  and  hence  no  pressure  to 
cause  a  deviation  from  the  normal  trajectory. 

Range  of  (he  rifle. — The  superior  range  of  the  rifle  over  the 
smooth  bored  musket,  is  due  entirely  to  the  fact  that  in  the  rifle, 
windage  is  entirely  cut  off  by  forcing  the  ball  into  the  grooves, 
and  by  the  shape  of  the  projectile  the  resistance  of  the  air  is  di- 
minished ;  thus  the  explosive  force  is  greater  and  the  resistance 
less. 

Forcing. — "  Forcing"  is  the  operation  by  which  the  projectile 
is  made  to  take  hold  of  the  grooves  of  a  rifled  barrel,  and  follow 
them  in  its  passage  through  the  bore.  At  first  this  was  effected 
by  driving  the  projectile  down  with  a  mallet  applied  to  the  point 
of  the  ramrod,  and  then  by  wrapping  the  projectile  in  a  patch  of 
cloth,  greased.  Owing  to  this  slow  and  difficult  method  of  load- 
3 


50 

iDg,  the  rifle  was  not  introduced  as  a  nTilitary  arm  trntil  quite  » 
recent  period,  when  this  difliculty  was  overcome. 

Delvigne.— In  1827  M.  Delvigue,  an  officer  of  the  French  in- 
fantry, introduced  tlie  following-  method  of  "forcing:"  At  the 
bottom  of  the  breech  was  a  small  chamber  to  contain  the  powder* 
The  ball,  when  resting  on  the  shoulders  of  the  chamber,  was 
forced  into  the  grooves  by  two  or  three  blows  with  the  ramrod/ 
This  method  was  soon  abandoned,  as  the  ball  was  much  dis- 
figured. 

Thouvenin. —  Col.  Thouvtnin  replaced  the  chamber  of  Del- 
vigne  by  a  spindle  of  iron  screwed  into  the  centre  of  the  breech 
Bcrew.  The  base  of  the  elongated  bullet  resting  on  the  point  of 
the  spindle,  was  forced  into  tlie  grooves  by  two  or  three  blows  of 
the  ramrod.  This  was  the  celebrated  carabine  a  tige,  or  stem 
rijle,  and  is  the  first  military  arm  in  which  an  elongated  projectile 
was  used. 

Greener.— The  first  attempt  to  force  a  projectile  by  the  action 
of  powder  was  made  in  1836  by  Mr.  Greener  of  London.  He 
inserted  a  conical  pewter  wedge  in  the  base  of  an  oblong  bullet; 
which  was  driven,  in  by  the  force  of  powder  so  as  to  force  the  ex- 
terior of  the  bullet  into  the  grooves  of  the  rifle. 

Minie. — Some  years  after  this,  Col.  Minie  proposed  a  projectile 
on  the  same  principle.  But  instead  of  a  solid  wedge,  he  inserted 
in  the  conical  cavity  at  the  base  of  the  bullet,  a  cup  of  sheet  iron* 

Present  method,. — Shortly  after  the  introduction  of  the  Minie 
hullet,  it  was  discovered,  simultaneously,  in  this  country  and  in 
England,  that  by  giving  a  suitable  size  and  shape  to  the  cavity  in 
the  projectile,  the  expansive  power  of  the  gas  alone,  without  the 
wedge  or  cidot,  was  sufficient  to  force  the  projectile  into  the 
grooves. 

The  C.  S.  bullet  is  a  cylinder  surmounted  by  a  conoid,  weighs 
550  grains,  and  has  three  grooves  around  the  bore  to  hold  the 
grease  for  lubricating,  and  to  guide  the  l)ullct  in  its  flight,  pre- 
serving its  point  foremost. 

The  English  bullet  (known  as  the  Pritchett  bullet)  has  a  per- 
fectly smooth  exterior.    A  conical  wedge  of  box  wood  is  inserted 


51     • 

« 

in  the  cavity  of  the  bore,  chiefly  to  preserve  its  form  in  being 
transported. 

Charge  of  powder. — The  charge  of  the  old  smooth  bored  mus- 
ket was  from  one-half  to  one-third  the  weight  of  the  projectile. 
The  charge  for  elongated  expanding  bullets  varies  from  one-tenth 
to  one-seventh  the  weight  of  the  projectile. 

Different  kinds  of  Small  Arms^ 

The  small  arms  adopted  for  service  are  s 
The  rifle  musket,  model  1855. 
The  rifle  musket,  model  1842. 
The  rifle,  model  1855. 

The  rifle,  model  1842,  reamed  out  to  .577  inch. 
No  model  has  yet  been  adopted  for  a  carbine  for  the  cavalry 
service;  several  dijfferent  patterns  are  now  in  the  hands  of  the 
troops. 
A  repeating  pistol  is  issued  to  the  cavalry. 
The  uniform  calibre  of  .577  inch  is  adopted  in  the  C.  S.  ser- 
vice for  all  rifles  and  rijh  muskets. 

Rifle  muslcet.'—ThQ,  rifle  musket  of  model  1855  combines  in  one 
piece  the  range  and  accuracy  of  the  rifle,  with  the  advantages  of 
the  smooth  bored  musket,  as  regards  lightness,  quickness  of  load- 
ing, and  facility  of  handling,  as  a  pike. 

Length  of  barrel,  -  -  -  40  inches. 

Length  of  arm  with  bayonet,     -  -  74        " 

Weight  of  barrel,  -  -  -  -    4.25  lbs. 

Weight  of  arm  complete,  ^  •       9.90    " 

Weight  of  projectile,      -  -  -        550  grs. 

Weight  of  powder,         -  -  -  60     " 

Initial  velocity,  -  _  .        960  feet. 

Rifle. — The  rifle  difi^ers  from  the  rifle  musket,  in  having  a 
shorter  and  stouter  barrel,  a  sword  bayonet  and  brass  mountings. 
Length  of  barrel,  -  -  -  33  inches. 

Length  of  arm  with  bayonet,     -  -  72        " 

Weight  of  ban-el,  -  -  -       4.80  lbs. 


52 

Weight  of  arm  complete,  -  -     13.       lbs. 

Charge  (projectile  and  powder)  game  as  rifle  musket. 

Initial  velocity,  .  -  -        910  feet. 

Enfield  rife. — Many  are  in  the  C.  S.  service,  obtained  by  pur- 
chase and  capture — so  called  because  made  after  the  model  of  the 
English  government  rifle,  manufactured  at  Enfield.  It  has  three 
grooves. 

Calibre,  -  -  -  -  .577  inches. 

Length  of  barrel,        -  -  -       39.  *' 

Length  of  arm  Avith  bayonet,  -       73.  •♦ 

Weight  of  arm  complete,        -  -         9.19     lbs. 

Weight  of  projectile,  )  as  rifle  musket. 

Weight  of  powder,      >      "  " 

Twist,  -  -  one  turn  in  6  feet  6  inches. 

Smooth  bored  musket. — The  calibre  of  the  smooth  hored  musket 
(model  1822  and  1840)  is  considerably  larger  than  the  rifle  mus- 
ket; the  former  being  .69  inch,  and  the  latter  .577  inch,  and  with 
it,  more  powder  is  required  to  project  a  ball  of  less  weight,  than 
with  the  rifle.  Many  of  these  models  (1822  and  1840)  are  in  our 
service,  some  of  them  being  still  used  with  the  flint  lock. 

Length  of  barrel,  -  -  -        42.      inches. 

Length  with  bayonet  (model  1822),       -        73.6        " 
(model  1840),       -        75.8 

Weight  of  arm  complete  (model  1840),         10.18  lbs. 

Weight  of  round  ball,  -  -  463  grains. 

Weight  of  powder,        .  -  -  no       " 

English  smooth  bored  musket. — Some  smooth  bored  muskets  of 
English  manufacture  (old  models)  are  in  our  service  of  very  large 
calibre,  being  .75  inch.     Special  ammunition  is  made  for  them. 

Muskctoon. — The  muskctoon  is  a  short  musket,  having  barrel 
26  inches  in  length  and  calibre  .09  inch.  This  is  an  old  model, 
and  w;  s  formerly  issued  to  the  cavalry  and  artillery  in  the  U.  S. 
servic  .     Some  are  now  used  by  the  C.  S.  cavalry. 

Belgian  rijle. — The  Belgian  rifle  is  a  carbine  a  tige,  having  a 
stem  in  the  chamber  of  the  breech,  with  a  calibre  of  .70  inch.  It 
has  four  grooves,  and  is  properly  used  with  a  solid  projectile  of 
756  grains  in  weight. 


53 

Brunswick  rife. — This  rifle  has  two  grooves,  "Which  diminish  in 
depth  to  a  certain  distance  in  the  barrel,  when  they  are  eased  off 
smooth  with  the  bore — calibre  about  .70  inch.  Some  of  the  Bel- 
gian and  Brunswick  rifles  are  in  the  C.  S.  service,  both  by  pur- 
chase and  capture. 

Carbine. — The  term  carbine  is  applied  to  an  arm  used  by 
mounted  troops,  intermediate  in  weight  and  length  between  the 
rifle  and  pistol.  The  name  is  derived  from  a  company  of  cavalry 
called  carabins,  to  whom  they  were  first  issued.  There  are 
several  diff'erent  varieties  in  our  service. 

Breech  loading  carbines. — Nearly  all  the  carbines  in  our  service 
are  breech  loading.  All  may  be  divided  in  two  classes,  those 
which  have  movable  chambers  and  those  which  have  fixed  cham- 
bers.    The  following  kinds  are  in  our  service  : 

HalVs  carbine. — This  is  an  old  carbine  with  movable  chamber, 
calibre  .52  inch,  length  of  barrel  21  inches.  It  was  formerly  used 
with  a  flint  lock  in  the  U.  S.  service.  Some  with  percussion  locks 
are  in  the  C.  S.  service. 

Burnside's  carbine  has  a  calibre  of  .54  Inch,  and  a  movable 
chamber.     The  cartridge  is  enclosed  in  a  conical  brass  case. 

Sharps s  carbine  has  a  fixed  chamber.  That  in  our  service  has 
a  calibre  of  .52  inch. 

Maynard's  carbine  has  a  fixed  chamber.  There  are  two  cali- 
bres in  our  service.  Large  size,  calibre  .52  inch.  Small  size, 
calibre  .36  inch.  Maynard^s  primer,  attached  to  this  carbine, 
contains  60  primers  in  a  row,  on  a  tape  or  ribbon  of  paper.  A 
primer  is  moved  under  the  hammer  by  the  act  of  cocking.  The 
charge  is  enclosed  in  a  cylinder  of  sheet  brass. 

MerrilVs  carbine  has  a  fixed  chamber,  and  calibre  .54  inch. 

CoWs  revolving  carbine  has  a  cylinder  with  six  chambers,  and 
a  rifled  barrel,  of  calibre  .56  inch. 

ColCs  pistol  is  used  in  our  service,  and  is  constructed  on  the 
revolving  principle,  with  a  cylinder  containing  six  chambers,  and 
a  rifled  barrel. 

There  are  two  kinds  in  use ;   CoWs  army  pistol  has  a  barrel 
inches  in  length,  of  .44  inch  calibre.     The  navy  pistol  has  a  bar- 
rel      inches  in  length,  of  .33  inch  calibre. 


54 

Grape-shot  pistol. — This  pistol  is  manufacturecl  by  M.Le  Mat 
of  Paris.  It  lias  a  cylinder  which  revolves,  containing  nine  cham- 
bers, a  rifled  barrel  and  a  smooth-bored  barrel.  The  latter  re- 
ceives a  charge  of  eleven  buckshot,  and  is  fired  by  a  slight  change 
in  the  hammer.     Some  are  in  our  service. 

Nomenclature. 

The  parts  of  a  musket  or  rifle,  arc  the  band,  breech  screw,  tang 
screw,  cone  bayonet,  lock,  two  side  screws,  mountings,  ramrod, 
stock  and  tip. 

Lock. — The  parts  of  the  lock,  are  lock  plate,  hammer,  tumbler, 
bridle,  bridle  screw,  sear,  sear  spring,  sear-spring  screw,  main 
spring,  swivel,  tumbler-and-swivel  pin. 

Mountings. — The  mountings  consist  of  upper  and  lower  bands, 
middle  band,  middle-band  swivel,  band  springs,  side-screw  wash- 
ers, guard,  guard  plate,  guard  bow,  trigger,  trigger  screw,  butt 
plate,  two  screws  for  butt  plate. 

Implements. — The  implements  for  use  in  the  field,  are  screw 
driver,  with  cone  wrench,  wip>er,  ball  screw  and  spring  vice. 


55 


Principal  Dimensions,   Weights,  etc.  of  Small  Arms. 


KIFLE    MUSKETS. 

RIFLES. 

1355. 

1842. 

1855. 

1842. 

DIMEXSION'S. 

Inches. 

Inches. 

Inches. 

Inches. 

'Diameter of  bore, 

0.577 

0  69 

0.577 

0.577 

VariAtion  allowed,  more, 

0.0025 

0.015 

0.fl025 

0.0025 

■RiTjprr      J  Diameter  at  muzzle, 
iJAKKitL.    <  Di,,„^^,t^j,  at  breech  between 

0.78 

0.85 

0.90 

0.90 

flats. 

L14 

1.25 

1.14 

1.15 

Length  without  breech-screw, 

40. 

42. 

33. 

33. 

Bayo.vkt— Length  of  blade, 

18. 

18. 

21.7 

21.7 

HamUOD— Length, 

.39.60 

41.70 

33.00 

33.00 

Stock,  with  butt-plate  and  tip— Length, 

52.85 

A„„         (  Length  without  bayonet,  - 
COMPLFTF    <  With  bayonet  fixed, 
COMPLETE.    ^  ^^.j,,^  butt-piece,      - 

55.  F'5 

57.80 

40.3 

48.8 

73.85 

75.80 

71.6 

71.3 

'Number, 

3. 

3. 

3. 

3. 

Twist,  uniform,  1  turn  in  - 

fift. 

6  ft. 

6  ft. 

6  ft. 

Grooves.    <  Width, 

o.:io 

0.36 

0.30 

0,30 

Depth  at,  muzzle,     - 

.005 

.005 

.005 

.005 

(Depth  at  breech,     - 

.015 

.■015 

.013 

.013 

WKIGHTS. 

Lbs. 

Lbs. 

Lbs. 

Lbs. 

Barrel,  without  breeeh-screw,    - 

4.28 

4.19 

4.8 

4.8 

Lock,  with  side-serews. 

.81 

.95 

.81 

.55 

Bayonet,                 .... 

.72 

0.64 

2.15 

2.15 

Butt-plate,           .... 

.'.375 

An\r        (  Withotit  bavonet, 

complete    \  ^^'^^^  bayonet, 
COMPLETE.   I  ^y.^^  butt-piece,      - 

9.18 

9.51 

9.'93 

9.68 

9.30 

10.15 

12.08 

11.83 

What  is  commonly  known  as  the  Mississippi  rifle  in  the  C.  S. 
Bcrviee,  was  made  after  the  model  of  1842,  with  a  calibre  of  .54- 

Ammunition  for  Small  Arms. 

Bullets  for  the  military  service  are  made  by  pressure.  One 
press  is  capable  of  making  3,000  bullets  in  an  hour.  Some  are 
also  cast  in  moulds,  and  afterwards  swaged  in  a  die  to  the  proper 
size  and  shape. 

Cartridges. — The  cartridge  is  composed,  of  the  bullet  and  the 
cylinder  which  contains  the  powder.  The  cylinder  is  now  at- 
tached to  the  bullet  without  a  wrapper  or  twine,  by  being  com- 
pressed in  an  incision,  by  machinery,  in  its  base. 


56 

Pistol  cartridges. — The  powder  cyliuder  of  Colt's  cartriJge  is 
made  of  combustible  paper  (prepared  after  the  manner  of  gun 
cotton);  it  is  attached  to  the  base  of  the  ball  by  gam,  and  is  in- 
serted in  tliC  piece  entire. 

Percussion  caps. — The  cap  for  small  arms  is  made  of  copper ; 
it  is  very  slightly  conical,  with  a  rim  at  the  open  end  for  conve- 
nience in  handling.  The  caps  are  formed  by  a  machine  which 
cuts  a  star  or  Hank  from  the  sheet  and  transfers  it  to  a  die  in 
which  the  cap  is  shaped  by  means  of  a  punch.  For  use  in 
Boughtou's  machine,  the  copper  is  first  cut  into  strips,  from 
which  the  blanks  are  cut  and  the  caps  formed ;  Wright's  machine 
cuts  the  blanks  from  the  whole  sheet  and  forms  the  cap.  The 
first  machine  makes  2,196  caps,  the  second,  2,314  caps,  from 
a  sheet  of  the  size  above  mentioned.  Each  machine  can  make 
about  5,000  caps  an  hour. 

The  powder  with  which  the  caps  are  charged,  consists  of  fulmi- 
nate of  mercury,  mixed  with  half  its  weight  of  saltpetre.  Each 
cap  contains  half  a  grain  of  percussion  powder,  which  is  pro^ 
tected  from  moisture  by  a  drop  of  varnish. 

Preservation  of  Arms  in  Service. 

The  officers,  non-commissioned  officers  and  soldiers  should  be 
instructed  and  practiced  in  the  nomenclature  of  the  arms,  the 
manner  of  dismounting  and  mounting  them,  and  the  precautions 
and  care  required  for  their  preservation. 

Each  soldier  should  have  a  screw  driver  and  a  wiper,  and  each 
squad  of  ten  a  band  spring  and  tumbler  punch,  and  a  spring  vice. 
No  other  implements  should  be  used  in  taking  arms  apart  or  in 
setting  them  up. 

In  the  inspection  of  arms,  officers  should  attend  to  the  qualities 
essential  to  service,  rather  than  to  a  bright  polish  on  the  exterior 
of  the  arms.  The  arms  should  be  inspected  in  the  quarters  at 
least  once  a  month,  with  the  barrel  and  lodi  separated  from  the 
stock. 


57 


Taking  arms  to  Pieces, 

To  take  apart  the  rifle  musket,  model  1855  : 

1.  Unfix  the  baj^onet. 

2.  Put  the  torapion  in  the  muzzle  of  the  barrel. 
8.    Draw  the  ramrod. 

4.  Turn  the  tang  screw. 

5.  Take  off  the  lock :  to  do  this,  first  put  the  hammer  at  half- 
cock,  then  unscrew  partially  the  side  screws,  and,  with  a  slight 
tap  on  the  head  of  each  screw  with  a  wooden  instrument,  loosen 
the  lock  from  its  bed  in  the  stock;  then  turn  out  the  side  screws, 
and  remove  the  lock  with  the  left  hand. 

6.  Kemove  the  side  screws,  taking  care  not  to  disturb  the 
washers.  i 

7.  Take  off  the  upper  band. 

8.  Take  off  the  middle  band. 

9.  Take  off  the  lower  baud. 

10.  Take  out  the  barrel. 

in  doing  this,  turn  the  musket  horizontally,  with  the  barrel 
downward,  holdiug  the  barrel  loosely  with  the  left  hand  below  the 
rear  sight,  the  right  hand  grasping  the  stock  by  the  handle ;  and 
if  it  does  not  leave  the  stock,  tap  the  tompion  in  the  muzzle  gently 
against  the  ground  or  floor,  which  will  loosen  the  breech  end  from 
the  stock.  This  is  preferable  to  lifting  the  barrel  out  by  the  muz- 
zle, because  if  the  tang  of  the  breech-screw  should  bind  in  the 
wood,  the  head  of  the  stock  would  be  liable  to  be  split  by  raising 
the  muzzle  first. 

The  foregoing  parts  of  the  rifle  musket  are  all  that  should  usu- 
ally be  taken  off  or  dismounted. 

The  soldier  should  never  dismount  the  hand- springs,  guard, 
side  screw,  washers,  butt-plate,  rear  sight,  cone,  and  cone-seat 
screw,  except  when  an  officer  considers  it  necessary.  The  breech 
screw  should  be  taken  out  only  by  an  armorer,  and  never  in  ordi- 
nary cleaning.  The  lock  should  not  be  taken  apart,  nor  the 
bayonet-clasp  taken  off,  except  when  absolutely  necessary  in  the 
3# 


58 

opinion  of  an  ofEccr.     If  proper  and  regular  care  he  taken  of  the 
arm,  this  will  he  very  seldom  necessary. 

The  parts  which  are  ppecially  assigned  to  be  dismounted  by  an 
experienced  armorer  will  be  stated  in  their  regular  order,  following 
No.  10,  viz : 

11.  Unscrew  the  cone,  keeping  the  wrench  well  down  on  the 
Bquare  of  the  cone,  to  prevent  the  corners  from  being  injured. 

12.  Take  out  the  cone-seat  screw. 

13.  Take  out  the  upper,  middle,  and  lower  band-springs,  using 
a  wire  punch  of  proper  size. 

14.  Take  out  the  side  screws.* 

15.  Take  out  the  guard,  using  care  to  prevent  injuring  the 
wood  at  each  end  of  the  guard-plate. 

16.  Take  out  the  side  screw  washers  with  a  drift  punch. 

17.  Take  out  the  butt-plate  screws  with  the  largest  blade  of 
the  screw-driver,  and  remove  the  butt  plate. 

18.  Remove  the  rear  sight  by  turning  out  the  leaf  spring  screw, 
which  will  release  the  sight  from  the  barrel. 

19.  Turn  out  the  breech  screw  by  means  of  a  "  breech  screw 
wrench"  suited  to  the  tenon  of  the  breech  screw.  No  other 
wrench  should  ever  be  used  for  this  purpose,  and  the  barrel 
should  be  held  in  clamps  fitting  neatly  the  breech. 

Order  in  which  (he  Lock  is  taken  apart. 

1.  Cock  the  piece,  and  put  the  spring  vice  on  the  main  spring; 
give  the  thumb  screw  a  turn  sufiicient  to  liberate  the  spring  from 
the  swivel  and  main  spring  notch.     Remove  the  spring. 

2.  The  sear-spring  screw.  Before  turning  this  screw  entirely 
out,  strike  the  elbow  of  the  spring  with  the  screw-driver,  so  as  to 
disengage  the  pivot  from  its  mortise ;  then  remove  the  screw  and 
spring. 

3.  The  sear-screw  and  sear. 

4.  The  bridle-screw  and  bridle. 

*Tho  guard,  butt-plate,  and  side-Hcrew  heads  have  concave  slits,  for  which  the 
Bcrew-driver  is  adapted :  this  lessens  the  danger  of  the  stock  being  marred  by  acci- 
dent or  carelessness  in  letting  the  screw-driver  slip  out  while  in  the  act  of  turning 
the  screw.    Great  care  should  be  observed  to  prevent  injury  in  this  particular. 


B0 

5.   Tlie  tumbler- screw. 

^.  The  tumbler.  This  is  driven  out  with  a  punch  inserted  in 
the  screw-hole,  which  at  the  same  time  liberates  the  hammer. 

7.  Detach  the  main-spring  swivel  from  the  tumbler  with  a  drift- 
punch. 

Assembling  Arms. 

The  lock  and  the  musket  arc  put  together  in  the  inverse  order 
of  taking  them  apart. 

The  Lock. 

1.  The  main-spring  swivel.  2.  The  tumbler  and  hammer.  H. 
The  tumblcr-screvr.  4.  Bridle  and  screw.  5.  Sear  and  screw. 
6.    Sear-spring  and  screw.     7.    Ma»i  spring. 

Before  replacing  the  screws,  oil  them  slightly  with  good  sperm 
oil,  putting  a  drop  on  the  point  of  the  screw ;  also,  on  the  arbor 
and  pivot  of  the  tumbler ;  between  the  movable  branches  of  tfie 
springs  and  the  lock-plate ;  on  the  hook  and  notches  of  the  tum- 
bler. After  the  lock  is  put  together,  avoid  turning  the  screws  in 
so  hard  as  to  make  the  limbs  bind  :  to  insure  this,  try  the  motion 
of  each  limb  before  and  after  its  spring  is  mounted,  and  see  that 
it  moves  without  friction. 

The  Musket. 

1.  The  barrel.  Drop  the  barrel  into  its  place  in  the  stock,  and 
squeeze  it  down  with  the  hand ;  give  the  butt  of  the  stock  a  gentle 
tap  against  the  floor,  to  settle  the  breech  end  of  the  barrel  against 
the  head  of  the  stock.  * 

2.  Put  on  the  lower  baud  with  the  letter  U  upward,  being  care- 
ful not  to  mar  the  stock  or  barrel  in  sliding  it  into  its  place ;  apply 
the  thumb  to  the  band-spriug,  to  see  that  it  plays  freely. 

3.  Put  on  the  middle  band ;  and, 

4.  The  upper  band,  in  the  sanie  manner. 

5.  The  lock.  Half-cock  the  hammer;  take  the  lock  in  the 
right  hand,  with  the  main  spring  and  sear  toward  you,  holding 

•the  stock  with  the  left  hand  by  the  swell,  with  the  butt  betwee^ 


/ 


00 

the  knees.  Enter  the  lock  fairly  into  tlie  lock-bed,  taking  care"  to 
keep  the  arm  of  the  sear  clear  of  the  trigger ;  press  the  plate  well 
down  into  the  wood,  and  then  turn  the  musket  over,  holding  the 
lock  and  stock  together  with  the  left  hand. 

6.  With  the  right  hand,  turn  in  the  side  screws,  after  having 
touched  their  screw-threads  with  oil.  Observe  that  the  point  of 
the  rear  screw  is  Jlal,  and  should  not  project  beyond  the  plate,  to 
hiterfere  with  the  hammer.     The  front  screw  has  a  rotind  point. 

7.  Turn  in  the  tang-screw,  after  having  oiled  the  screw-tliread^ 
Be  careful  to  see  that  each  of  these  screws  are  turned  firmly 
home,  hut  not  forced.  Observe  that  the  lock  plays  freely,  without 
friction,  and  that  no  limb  is  bound  by  the  wood. 

8.  lieturn  the  ramrod. 

9.  Eefix  the  bayonet,  afterliaving  oiled  the  clasp  and  socket  to 
prevent  chafing. 

10.  Eeplace  the  tompion.  Oil  the  stock  well  with  sp'erm  or 
linseed  oil;  let  it  stand  a  few  hours,  and  then  rub  it  with  a  woolen 
rag  until  the  wood  is  perfectly  dry.  Repeat  this  from  time  to 
time,  and  it  will  produce  a  polish  which  moisture  will  not  affect. 

Linseed  oil  is  the  best  for  this  purpose,  and  it  should  be  use(3 
while  the  arm  is  dismounted. 

Cleaning  and  Care  of  Arms. 
To  Clean  the  Barrel. 

1.  Stop  the  hole  in  the  cone  with  a  peg  of  soft  wood;  pour  a 
gill  of  water  (warm,  if  it  can  be  had)  into  the  muzzle ;  let  it  stand 
a  short  time,  to  soften  the  deposit  of  the  powder ;  put  a  plug  of 
soft  wood  into  the  nmzzle,  and  shake  the  Water  up  and  down  the 
barrel  well ;  pour  this  out  and  repeat  the  washing  until  the  water 
comes  out  clear ;  take  out  the  peg  from  the  cone,  and  stand  the 
barrel,  muzzle  downward,  to  drain  for  a  few  moments. 

2.  Screw  the  wiper  on  to  the  end  of  the  ramrod,  and  put  a 
piece  of  dry  cloth  or  tow  round  it,  sufiicient  to  prevent  it  from 
chafing  the  grooves  of  the  barrel ;  wipe  the  barrel  quite  dry,  chang- 
\Qg  or  drying  the  cloth  two  or  three  times. 


Of 

3.  Put  no  oil  into  the  vent,  as  it  will  clog  the  passage,  and  cause 
the  first  cap  to  miss  fire ;  but,  with  a  slightly  oiled  rag  on  the 
wiper,  rub  the  bore  of  the  barrel  and  the  face  of  the  breech-screw, 
and  immediately  insert  the  tompion  into  the  muzzle. 

4.  To  clean  the  exterior  of  the  barrel,  lay  it  flat  on  a  bench  or 
board,  to  avoid  bending  it.  The  practice  of  supporting  the  barrel 
at  each  end  and  rubbing  it  with  a  strap  or  bulf  stick,  or  with  the 
ramrod  or  any  other  instrument,  to  burnish  it,  is  pernicious,  and 
should  be  strictlj^  forbidden. 

5.  After  firing,  the  barrel  shoQld  always  be  washed  as  S||n  as 
practicable;  when  the  water  comes  off  clear,  wipe  the  barrel  dry, 
and  pass  into  it  a  rag  moistened  with  oil. 

As  rust  and  dirt  are  produced  by  exploding  caps  or  primers, 
although  no  charge  be  fired,  the  parts  of  the  barrel  and  cone  ex- 
posed should  be  carefully  wiped  and  oiled  after  such  practice. 

Fine  flour  of  emery  cloth  is  the  best  article  to  clean  the  exte- 
rior of  the  barrel. 

To  Clean  the  Lock. 

Wipe  every  part  with  a  moist  rag,  and  then  a  dry  one  ;  if  any 
part  of  the  interior  shows  rust,  put  a  drop  of  oil  on  the  point  or 
end  of  a  piece  of  soft  wood  dipped  into  flour  of  emery ;  rub  out 
the  rust  clean  and  wipe  the  surface  dry ;  then  rub  every  part  with 
a  slightly  oiled  rag. 

When  a  lock  has,  from  any  cause,  become  gummed  with  oil 
and  dirt,  it  may  be  cleaned  by  being  boiled  in  soap-suds  or  in 
pearlash  or  soda  water,  to  loosen  the  thick  oil;  but  heat  should 
never  be  applied  to  any  part  of  it  in  any  other  way. 

To  Clean  the  Mountings. 

For  the  mountings,  and  all  of  the  iron  and  steel  parts,  use  fine 
flour  of  emery,  moistened  with  oil,  or  flour  of  emery  cloth. 

For  brass,  use  rotten-stone  moistened  with  vinegar  or  water, 
and  keep  free  from  oil  or  grease.  Use  a  hard  brush,  or  a  piece 
of  soft  pine,  cedar,  or  crocus  cloth. 

Kemove  dirt  from  the  screw-holes  by  screwing  a  piece  of  soft 
wood  into  them. 


6d 

Wipe  clean  with  a  linen  rag,  and  leave  the  parts  slightly  oiled. 

In  cleaning  the  arni§,  great  care  should  be  observed  to  preserve 
the  qualities  essential  to  service,  rather  than  to  obtain  a  bright 
polish. 

Burnishing  the  barrel  (or  other  parts)  should  be  strictly  avoided, 
as  it  tends  to  crook  the  barrel,  and  also  to  destroy  the  uniformity 
of  the  exterior  finish  of  the  arm. 

It  is  not  essential  for  the  musket  to  be  dismounted  every  time 
that  it  is  cleaned ;  for,  after  firing  it  in  jSne  weather,  or  when 
there  has  been  no  chance  for  the  wet  to  get  between  the  barrel 
and  tuc  stock,  it  can  be  perfectly  cleaned  in  the  following  man- 
ner— 

Put  a  piece  of  rag  or  soft  leather  on  the  top  of  the  cone,  and 
let  the  hammer  down  upon  it;  pour  a  gill  of  water  into  the  muz- 
zle, carefully,  so  that  it  does  not  run  down  the  outside  ;  put  a  plug 
of  wood  into  the  muzzle,  and  shake  the  gun  u\)  and  down,  chang- 
ing the  water  repeatedly,  until  it  comes  out  clear.  When  clear, 
withdraw  the  leather,  and  stand  the  musket  on  the  muzzle  for  a 
few  moments :  then  wipe  out  the  barrel  (as  given  in  the  second 
rule  for  cleaning),  and  also  wipe  the  exterior  of  the  lock  and  the 
outside  of  the  barrel  around  the  cone  and  cone-seat,  first  with  a 
damp  rag,  and  then  with  a  dry  one,  and  lastly  with  a  rag  that  has 
been  slightly  oiled.  In  this  way,  all  the  dirt  due  to  the  firing  may 
be  removed  without  taking  out  a  screw. 

If,  however,  the  hammer  be  observed  to  work  stiflP,  or  to  grate 
upon  the  tumbler,  the  lock  must  immediately  be  taken  oflf  and  the 
parts  cleaned  and  touched  with  oil. 

To  change  the  cone,  when  it  is  broken  or  worn  out. — After  re- 
moving the  old  cone,  enter  the  new  one  carefully  with  the  fingers, 
before  using  the  wrench,  in  order  to  avoid  bruising  the  thread  in 
the  barrel. 

It  is  very  important  to  use  no  other  implements  than  those  be- 
fore mentioned.  B}''  using  nails  to  drive  out  the  wires,  their  holes 
are  enlarged.  The  main  spring  should  never  be  heated  for  the 
purpose  of  either  raising  or  lowering  its  temper ;  this  destroys  the 
elasticity  of  the  spring,  and  the  lock  no  longer  gives  fire. 


&0 

The  notches  of  the  tumbler,  the  main  spring,  swivel,  and  in 
general,  all  the  joints  of  the  lock  should  be  frequently  oiled,  after 
first  wiping  off  the  hard  grease  and  the  dust. 

Browned  arms  are  cleaned  by  rubbing  them  hard  with  an  oiled 
rag  until  the  oil  is  well  incorporated  with  the  browning,  or  by 
rubbing  them  with  beeswax  on  a  rag  or  cork. 

Eifled  arms  should  not  have  the  ramrod  sprun^^  in  the  bore 
with  unnecessary  force.  It  batters  the  head  of  the  rod,  and  wears 
injuriously  the  grooves.  The  soldier  should  let  the  rod  slide  down 
gently,  supported  by  the  thumb  and  finger ;  and  the  insp|pting 
officer  can  satisfy  himself  of  the  condition  of  the  bottom  of  the 
bore  by  gently  tapping  with  the  rod.  The  face  of  the  breech  can 
be  polished,  after  washing,  by  means  of  a  cork  fixed  on  the  wiper 
or  ball-screw;  the  polished  surface  can  be  seen  if  the  muzzle  is 
turned  to  the  light. 

Besides  all  the  precautions  in  dismounting,  remounting  and 
cleaning,  which  have  been  pointed  out  in  the  foregoing  pages,  ha- 
bitual care  in  handling  the  arms  is  necessary  to  keep  them  in  good 
and  serviceable  condition. 

In  ordering  arms  on  parade,  let  the  butt  be  brought  gently  to 
the  ground,  especially  when  the  exercises  take  place  on  pavements 
or  hard  roads.  This  will  save  the  mechanism  of  the  lock  from 
shocks,  which  are  very  injurious  to  it,  and  which  tend  to  loosen 
and  mar  the  screws  and  split  the  wood-work. 

In  stacking  arms,  care  should  be  taken  not  to  injure  the  bayo- 
nets by  forcibly  straining  the  edges  against  each  other.  The 
stack  can  be  as  well  secured  without  such  force  being  used. 

No  cutting,  marking,  or  scraping  in  any  w^ay  the  wood  or  iron 
should  be  allowed  ;  and  no  part  of  the  gun  should  be  touched  with 
a  file.  Take  every  possible  care  to  prevent  water  from  getting  in 
between  the  lock,  or  barrel  and  stock.  If  any  should  get  there, 
dismount  the  gun  as  soon  as  possible,  clean  and  oil  the  parts  as 
directed,  and  see  that  they  are  perfectl}-  dry  before  reassembling 
them. 


64 


Strength  and  Durability  of  Musk£t  Barrels. 

To  test  the  strength  of  musket  barrels,  model  3855,  they  have 
Li'cii  fired  with  an  increasing  number  of  cartridges,  until  the 
fo.ce  of  the  explosion  of  tlie  first  two  caftridges  was  unable  to 
dr.ve  out  the  other  charges,  and  the  gas  escaped  through  the  vent, 
leaving  the  barrel  uninjured. 

1  he  strength  of  the  barrel,  therefore,  furnishes  every  requisite 
security  against  the  accidents  of  service  and  the  want  of  care  on 
the  jfh't  of  the  soldier. 

Experience  has  shown  that  a  musket  barrel  may  be  fired  25,000 
times  without  becoming  unserviceable. 

Bai  rels  which  are  condemned  in  service  are  almost  always  the 
result  of  accident,  very  rarely  from  enlargement  of  the  bore  oi* 
from  tl.e  diminution  of  the  exterior  dimensions. 

The  ioUowing  trials  of  the  strength  and  durabilit}'  of  the  French 
musket  barrel  are  taken  from  the  Aide- Mc moire.  They  refer  to 
the  smoeth  bore  musket :  It  is  to  be  observed  that  the  charge  of 
the  French  musket  was  formerly  162  grains  Troy,  priming  in- 
cluded (or  146  grains,  exclusive  of  priming),  and  is,  therefore, 
considerably  greater  than  our  present  service  charge. 

In  expeiiments  made  in  1806,  barrels  reduced  0.13  inch  at  the 
breecli  bore  a  double  and  triple  charge  with  one  ball,  or  two  car- 
tridges placed  one  over  the  other. 

Other  trials  were  made  in  1829,  at  the  manufactory  of  Mutzig, 
on  arms  sent  there  for  repairs,  which  had  been  a  greater  or  less 
time  in  the  liands  of  the  troops.  They  furnished  the  following* 
results — 

1st.  AVhen  a  musket  barrel  is  charged  with  a  single  cartridge, 
placed  in  any  part  of  it,  or  with  2  ot  even  with  3  cartridges,  in- 
serted regularh',  without  any  interval  between  them,  there  is  no 
danger  of  bursting ;  with  4  cartridges  inserted  regularly  ovef  each 
other,  or  with  2  i)r  even  3  cartridges  placed  oVef  each  other  with 
slugged  balls  (or  balls  driven  in,  as  in  a  rifle),  there  is  danger  only 
in  case  of  some  defect  of  fabrication,  or  some  deterioration  in  the 


65 

barrel ;  with  more  than  4  cartridges  inserted  regularly  one  over 
another,  or  with  2,  3  and  4  cartridges  with  intervals  between  them, 
it  is  not  safe  to  fire. 

Late  experiments  with  the  rifle  musket  show  that  any  number 
of  cartridges  can  be  placed  one  upon  the  other,  and  the  piece  be 
fired  without  injury.  In  consequence  of  the  expansive  nature  of 
the  projectile,  which  cuts  off  the  passage  of  the  flame,  but  two 
charges  will  be  inflamed,  and  their  force  will  be  expended  through 
the  vent. 

2d.  No  danger  of  bursting  is  occasioned  by  leaving  a  ball  screw 
in  the  barrel.  There  may  be  danger  from  a  plug  of  wood  driven 
tight  into  the  muzzle,  when  the  barrel  has  been  loaded  with  2  car- 
tridges ;  or  from  a  cork  rammed  into  the  barrel  to  a  certain  dis- 
tance from  the  charge,  with  another  cartridge  over  it. 

Snow,  clay  and  sand,  which  may  be  accidentally  introduced  into 
the  barrel,  are  not  dangerous,  if  they  lie  close  to  the  charge ;  but 
they  are  so  when  there  is  a  space  between  them  and  the  charge ; 
in  this  case  sand  is  the  most  dangerous,  then  clay  and  snow. 

Balls  or  pieces  of  iron  inserted  over  the  charge  were  not  at- 
tended with  danger  when  nlaced  close  to  the  charge,  even  when 
their  weight  amounted  to  iT  lb. ;  but  there  is  danger  from  a  piece 
of  iron,  0.5  inch  square,  weighing  i  lb.,  if  placed  20  inches  or 
more  from  the  breech. 

3d.  A  barrel  with  a  defect  which  might  have  escaped  the  in- 
spector at  the  armory,  bore  the  explosion  of  3  cartridges,  regu- 
larly inserted.  After  mutilation,  which  may  have  caused  a  reduc- 
tion of  metal  in  some  parts,  it  may  still  be  used  without  danger. 

Finally,  the  diminutions  of  exterior  diameter  which  may  be 
produced  in  ordinary  service  are  never  sufiicient  to  be  dangerous. 
In  these  trials,  barrels  originally  0.272  inch  thick  at  the  breech^ 
did  not  burst  when  loaded  with  2  cartridges,  until  the  thickness 
was  reduced  to  0.169  inch,  and  with  1  cartridge  to  0.091  inch. 


66 


Spare  Appendages  required  for  the  repair  of  1,000  Rijle  Muskets 
during  one  year  in  the  field. 

Wipers,  -  .  _  .  .  75 

Screw  drivers,  -  -  -  -  25 

Ball  screws,       -  -  -  -  -  25 

Spring  vices,      -  -  -  -  -  25 

Tompions,  -----  100 

Band  spring  and  tumbler  punch,      -  -  -  25    jn 

Spare  Parts  for  1000  Rifles  {Model  1855)  one  year  in  the  field. 


Nop. 

Nos. 

Barrels,           .... 

2 

Guardbows, 

20 

Vent-ycrewfi, 

30 

nuts,      - 

40 

llear-sights, 

20 

"           "     swivels  and  rivets, 

50 

IJreech-scrcws, 

10 

Triggers,      .... 

10 

Tang          "                  ... 

30 

screws,      - 

10 

Cones,              .... 

50 

Guard-plate  screws. 

50 

l^ocks,              .... 

2 

Butt-plates, 

2 

Lock-plates,   .... 

5 

"            screws, 

20 

Hammers,       .... 

25 

Box-plates  with  catches, 

5 

Tumblers,      .... 

20 

"            screws. 

10 

"         screws,     - 

100 

"            springs, 

10 

Bridles,           .... 

20 

jL               "        screws, 
Eanffods,      .... 

10 

"      screws, 

50 

50 

Sears,              .... 

20 

stops, 

10 

"      screws, 

50 

stocks,         .... 

30 

Scar-springs, 

50 

Screw-drivers, 

50 

"               screws, 

50 

Wipers,         .... 

50 

Main  springs, 

50 

Ball-screws, 

10 

"                swivels, 

40 

Spring-vicex,             -         '    - 

30 

"                    "        rivets. 

40 

Tumbler  and  wire  punches, 

10 

Side  screws. 

100 

Bullet-moulds, 

5 

Upper  bands  with  swivels, 

10 

Swages  for  balls,     - 

5 

"      band  swivels  and  rivets,     - 

50 

Sword-bnyoncts,     - 

30 

"       baud  springs, 

30 

Tompions, 

20 

Lower  bands, 

10 

Sword-bayonet  lock-pins. 

25- 

"      band  springs. 

20 

"     '                   "          springs, 

55 

Side  screw  washers. 

30  : 

"                        "          spring 

Guard-plates, 

10  1 

:                                                  screws. 

50 

SWORDS  AND  SABRES. 
Sabres  are  curved,  and  swords  straight. 

NOMKNCLATUKE. 

Cavalry  sabre  consists  of  a  curved  blade  36  inches  long,  hilt 
guard  and  scabbard  of  sheet  steel. 


67 


Mounted  artillery  sabre. — This  differs  from  the  cavalry  sabre 
in  haviug  a  hlade  only  32  inches  long,  though  of  greater  curvature. 
It  also  has  a  hilt,  guard  and  scabbard. 

Foot  artillery  sivord  has  a  straight  two-edged  blade  19  inches 
long,  narrower  nearer  the  hilt  than  in  the  middle,  a  hilt  and  leather 
scabbard. 

Infantry  sword  has  a  blade  straight  (cut  and  thrust)  32  inches 
in  length,  a  hilt,  guard  and  leather  scabbard.  This  sword  is  for 
the  non-commissioned  officers  of  foot  troops.  The  sword  for 
officers  not  mounted  is  of  the  same  pattern,  with  ornamented 
mountings. 

Principal  Dimensions  and   Weights  of  Swords  and  Sabres. 


Cavalry 

Artillery 

Artillery 

Infantry 

Sabre. 

Sabre. 

Sword. 

Sword. 

Inches. 

Inches. 

Inches. 

Inches. 

Whole  length  of  the  sword  or  sabre  in 

its  scabbard,       .... 

43.35 

38.G 

26. 

38.75 

Leugth  of  the  blade  proper, 

3H. 

32. 

19. 

32. 

Length  of  the  scabbard, 

37.25 

33. 

20. 

32.5 

Width  of  the  blade  in  the  middle,^ 

11 

1.06 

1.8 

0.72 

Versed  sine  of  the  curvature  of  the  blade 

in  the  middle. 

1.5 

2.32 

Versed  sine  of  the  curvature  of  the  blade 

in  proof,                .... 

7.5 

6.5 

- 

6  5 

WEIGHTS. 

Lbs.    oz. 

Lb.s.  oz. 

Lbs.  oz. 

Lbs.  oz. 

AVeight  of  the  sword  or  sabre,  complete, 

4        8 

4        U 

3        3 

2        5 

Weight  of  the  finished  blade,      - 

1         5 

1        9 

Weight  of  the  scabbard. 

2        2 

- 

10 

Cleaning  Sioords  and  Sabres. 

The  iron  and  brass  parts  of  swords  and  sabres  are  cleaned  in 
the  same  manner  as  those  of  muskets.  When  the  oil  on  the  blade 
of  a  sword  is  dried  up,  it  will  leave  a  spot  which  may  be  removed 
bj'  covering  it  with  oil  and  rubbing  it  smartly,  after  a  short  time, 
with  a  linen  rag.  When  a  leather  scabbard  has  become  wet,  draw 
the  blade  and  dry  the  scabbard  slowly  without  heating  it ;  wipe 
the  blade  dry  and  pass  an  oiled  rag  over  it  and  the  scabbard,  be- 
fore returning  the  blade.  Oil  the  blades  of  arms  in  store,  and 
also  the  scabbards,  especially  on  the  seams. 


68 


Accoutrements. 
M  Infantry  Accoutrements. 

Cartridge  box,  cartridge-box  j^^^a^e  (brass),  cartridge-box  belt^ 
cartridge-box  belt-plate,  cap  pouch,  cone  pick,  bayonet  scabbard,    l| 
waist   belt,  waist-belt  plate,  gun-sling,  sword-shoulder   belt  and 
plate,  for  non-commissioned  officers. 

Rifle  Accoutrements. 
The  same  as  for  infantry  accoutrements,  except  the  waist  belt 
for  the  sword  baj'onet  and  the  sword-bayonet  scabbard. 

Cavalry  Accoutrements. 
Cartridge  box  for  carbine,  pistol  cartridge  box,  cartridge-box 
plate,  cap  pouch,  cone  pick,  sabre  belt,  sabre-belt  plate,  sword  knot-, 
carbine  sling,  holsters. 

Mounted  Artillery  Accoutrements. 
Sabre  belt,  sabre-belt  plate,  sword  knot. 

Foot  Artillery  Accoutrements. 
Sword  belt,  belt-plate. 

Weight  of  Accoutrements. 

100  infantry  cartridge-boxes  and  plates  for  .69-in.  ball, 
300  infantry  cartridg-e-boxes  and  plates  for  .58-in.  ball, 
100  infantry  cartridg^e  box  belts  and  plates, 
100  cap-pouches  and  cone-picks,        -  .  .  - 

100  bayonet  scabbards  and  frofrs,       .  -  .  . 

100  waist  belts  and  plates,  1.9  inch  wide,      -  -  - 

100  gun  slings,  .---.. 

100  non-commissioned  officer's  waist  belts  and  plates, 
100  non-commissioned    officer's    sword    belts    and    plates 

(shoulder), 

100  rifle  cartridge-boxes  and  plates  for  .54-in.  ball, 
100  rifle  waist  belts  and  plates,  for  bayonet-scabbard, 
100  rifle  sword-bayonet  scabbards,  -  .  , 

100  rifle  pouches,        .-..-- 
100  rifle  Hasks,  ...... 

100  rifle  flask  and  pouch  belts,  .  .  .  . 

100  cavalry  sabre  belts  and  plates,  .  .  . 

100  carbine  slings  and  swivels,  .  .  .  - 

100  light  artillery  sabre  belts  and  plates, 
100  foot  artillery  sword  belts  and  plates,       -  •< 


176 

lbs 

167 

63 

13 

31 

50 

15 

49 

60 

118 

59 

49 

43 

81 

27 

120 

110 

95 

81 

69 


Musket  and  Rifle  Practice. 

Dangerous  space. — In  practice  the  object  to  be  struck  has  a 
certain  height,  and  the  ball  will  strike  it  not  only  when  it  is  at 
point  plank,  but  also  when  it  shall  be  at  such  points  in  rear  or  in 
front  of  the  point  blank,  that  the  vertical  distance  of  the  trajec- 
tory from  such  points  shall  be  equal  to,  or  lees  than  the  height  of 
the  object.  The  distance  between  the  points,  where  if  a  man 
were  standing,  he  would  be  struck  in  the  head,  and  where  he 
would  be  struck  in  the  feet,  is  called  the  dangerous  space.  For 
cavalry  the  dangerous  space  is  greater  than  for  infantry,  for  the 
same  trajectory.  The  more  flattened  the  trajectory,  the  greater 
the  dangerous  space. 

The  French  rifle  musket,  at  a  distance  of  273  yards,  has  a  dan- 
gerous space  of  87.5  yards ;  at  546  yards,  of  42.5  yards ;  at  872 
yards,  of  20.5  yards. 

For  the  Enfield  rifle  musket  at  600  yards,  the  dangerous  space 
is  60  yards ;  at  800,  of  40  yards. 

Comparative  Efficacy  of  the  Sjiiooth  Bored  Musket,  with  Round 
Bali',  and  the  Rifle,  with  the  Hollow  Ball. 

Experiments  were  made  in  1851,  at  Vincennes,  to  test  the  rela- 
tive efficacy  of  the  musket  and  rifle  at  various  distances.  The 
conclusions  were  as  follows  : 

1st.  In  the  fire  by  company,  the  rifle  with  the  hollow  ball  has 
710  superiority  over  the  smooth  bored  musket  with  round  ball,  at 
164  yards. 

2d.  At  218  yards,  the  rifle  has  one  and  a  half  times  the  efficacy. 

3d.  At  437  yards,  the  rifle  has  six  times  the  efficacy. 

4th.  Beyond  437  yards,  the  musket  has  neither  accuracy  nor 
penetration,  but  the  rifle  has  still  very  considerable  efficacy. 


^0 


Table  showing  the  relative  Penelration  of  Round  and  Cylindro-       \ 
conic  Balls. 


437  yards. 

Target^ 
f!  feet  C  inciica. 

NU3IBER  Of  PLAKKS. 

1 

4 
2 

2 

2 

1 

3 

4 

5 

6. 

7 

8 

Musket — round  ball. 
120   fired. 

Struck, 
Penetrated, 

T?ge    rifle,   rylindro- 
conic  ball. 
120   fired; 

Struck, 

Penetrated,         -        ' 

03 
63 

C3 
55 

5") 
52 

51 
43 

43 
32 

27 
14 

10 
13 

i 

The  planks  \^ere  poplar,  1.02  inch  thick,  placed  18  inches  in 
rear  of  each  other.  Charge  of  powder  for  round  ball,  123.5  grains ; 
cjlindro-conic,  69.5  grains. 

Mean  deviations, — -Tiie  following  are  the  mean  deviations  of 
the  rifle  musket,  fired  from  a  shoulder  and  rest : 


Distance. 


Yards. 

100 

COO 

1000 


Vertical! 


Inches. 

1.9 
22.2 
55.9 


Horizontal. 


Inches. 

1.5 
14.6 

22.5 


Effect  of  bullets. — The  penetration  of  the  rifle  musket  bullet, 
in  a  target  made  of  pine  boards,  one  inch  thick,  are  as  follows : 
At    200  yards,  -  -         11        inches. 

-     600      "  "  -  6.33       " 

"    1000      "  -  -  3.25      " 

From  experiments  made  in  Denmark,  the  following  relations 
were  found  between  the  penetration  of  a  bullet  in  pine,  and  its 
effects  on  the  body  of  a  living  horse,  viz  : 

Ist.  When  the  force  of  tlie  bullet  is  sufficient  to  penetrate  0.31 
inch  into  pine,  it  is  only  sufficient  to  produce  a  slight  contusion  of 
the  skin. 

2d.  AVhen  the  force  of  penetration  is  equal  to  0.63  inch,  the 
wound  begins  to  be  dangerous,  but  does  not  always  disable. 


?1 

3ci.  When  the  force  of  penetration  is  equal  to  1.2  inch,  the 
tvound  is  very  dangerous. 

It  will  thus  he  seen  that  the  present  bullet  is  capable  of  pro- 
ducing very  dangerous  wounds,  at  a  much  greater  distance  than 
1,000  yards. 

Accidents  that  occur  with  the  Holloio  Ball. 

Projectiles^  with  a  cavity  in  the  base,  are  liable  to  be  torn  by 
the  action  of  the  gas,  if  it  be  too  violent,  or  if  the  projectile  be 
defective  from  its  fabrication,  as  often  occurs  with  moulded  bul- 
lets.    The  tearing  of  hollow  bullets  is  thus  classified. 

Lunettes.— In  this  case  the  cylindrical  part  of  the  bullet  re- 
mains behind  in  the  piece,  the  conical  part  being  torn  off  by  the 
action  of  the  gas,  and  driven  out  witliout  range  or  accuracy.  In 
case  of  accidents  of  this  kind,  the  arm  is  temporarily  unfit  for 
use,  and  has  to  be  unbreeched  to  extract  the  lunette.  Sometimes 
by  forcing  a  second  ball  down  point  foremost,  and  ramming  it 
hard  against  the  lunette,  they  may  both  be  fired  out. 

Anneavx :  composed  of  a  circular  part  of  the  hollow  portion  of 
the  projectile,  comprising  one  or  more  of  the  grooves ;  these  acci- 
dents arise  entirely  from  a  defective  fabrication. 

Affouillements. — In  this  case  the  gas  penetrates  through  the 
fissures  or  openings  of  the  bullet,  from  defective  moulding,  and 
pierces  without  separating  the  front  part  of  the  bullet^  thus  driving 
it  out  with  little  force  or  accuracy. 


72 

CHAP.  VII. 
AMMUNITION. 

Gunpowder. 

Gunpowder  should  be  of  an  even  grain,  angular  and  irregular 
in  form  ;  it  should  be  so  hard  as  not  to  be  easily  crushed  by  pres- 
sure with  the  finger ;  it  should,  when  new,  leave  no  trace  of  dust 
when  poured  on  the  back  of  the  hand,  and  should  leave  no  beads 
or  foulness  when  flashed,  in  quantities  of  10  grains,  on  a  copper 
plate.  It  is  distinguished  as  musket,  mortar,  cannon  and  jnam- 
moth  powder.  They  are  all  made  in  the  same  manner,  of  the 
same  proportion  of  materials,  and  differ  only  in  the  size  of  the 
grain. 

Materials. — The  materials  required  are  saltpetre,  charcoal  and 
sulphur.     They  should  be  of  the  greatest  possible  purity. 

Proportions  of  materials. — All  powder  for  the  military  service 
must  be  composed  of  the  following  proportions,  by  weight,  viz : 
76  parts  of  nitre,  14  of  charcoal  and  10  of  sulphm*; 
Or  75      ''  "      15  "  10 

Size  of  grain. — The  size  of  the  grain  is  tested  by  standard 
sieves  made  of  sheet  brass  pierced  with  round  holes.  Two  sieves 
are  used  for  each  kind  of  powder :  Nos.  1  and  2  for  musket,  2 
and  3  for  mortar,  4  and  5  for  cannon,  and  6  and  7  for  mammoth 
powder. 

Diameter  of  holes  for  musket     powder,  No.  1,  0.03  iu. ;  No.  2,  0.06  in. 

"  mortar  "        No.  2,  0.06  in. ;  No.  3,  0.10  iu. 

cannon  "         No.  4,  0.25  in. ;  No.  5,  0.35  in. 

"  "  mammoth      "         No.  6,  0.60  in. ;  No.  7,  0.90  in. 

Musket  powder. — None  should  pass  through  sieve  No.  1 — all 
through  No.  2. 

Mortar  powder. — None  should  pass  through  sieye  No.  2 — all 
through  No.  3. 

Cannon  powder. — None  should  pass  through  sieve  No.  4 — all 
through  No.  5. 


7:3 

The  smaller  flic  gTains  of  powtlcr,  to  a  certain  limit,  the  more 
nearly  instantaneous  is  its  conversion  into  gas.  The  object  of 
using  large  grained  powder  is  to  avoid  its  instantaneous  conver- 
sion into  gas,  which  would  burst  the  gun.  As  a  general  rule,  in 
firing  cannon,  the  heavier  the  projectile  the  larger  the  grain  of 
powder  used,  and  conversely.  The  inertia  of  rest  of  the  projec- 
tile is  proportional  to  its  mass,  and  a  smetll  interval  of  time  is  re- 
quired to  impart  to  it,  with  safety  to  the  gun,  the  velocity  with 
which  it  issues  from  the  muzzle. 

Powder  Measures. 

Made  of  sheet  copper ;  those  for  use  in  the  park  should  be  made 
without  handles,  for  the  convenience  of  putting  them  up  in  a  nest; 
their  form  is  cylindrical,  the  interior  diameter  and  height  being 
equal. 

To  find  the  diameter  and  height  of  a  cylinder  to  contain  a  givtn 
quantity  of  gunpowder :  Multiply  the  weight  in  pounds  by 
38.2  for  cannon  powder  }    c        t        j       -i. 

39.4  for  musket  L  lifle  powder  \  "^  '°'=''"™  ^^^^''^ 
and  take  the  cube  root  of  the  product. 

Dimensions  of  Powder  Measures. 


WEIGHT  OF 

POWDER. 

DIAMETKR  AND 
HEIGHT. 

WEIGHT  OF 

POWDER. 

DIAMETER  AN'D 
HEIGHT. 

Lb8. 

OZ. 

Inches. 

Lbs. 

OK. 

Inches. 

0 

1 

1.337 

o 

0 

4.240 

0 

2 

1685 

2 

8 

4.571 

0 

4 

2.122 

3 

0 

4.857 

0 

8 

2.673 

4 

0 

5.346 

1 

0 

3.368 

4 

s 

5.560 

1 

4 

3.628 

6 

0 

6.120 

1 

8 

3.855 

8 

0 

6.736 

74 


Ammunition  for  Small  Arms  now  used  in  the   C.  S.  Service.- 


i 

3 

ARMS, 

c3 

0 

t 

0  ^ 

A 

t 

2 

"^.a 

tn 

fi 

to 

■3 

e1 

I, 

"3 
O 

^ 

q' 

0 

iie]g:ian  rifle, 

.70 

738 

.675 

80 

Mississippi  rifle, 

.54 

470 

.525 

.70 

Eifle  musket,         -                    ^                    - 

.€9 

738 

- 

80 

Rifle       "               - 

.58 

500 

.562 

75 

German  rifle,         ^                    .                    w 

.69 

738 

_ 

80 

Eufield  rifle,         .-                     -' 

.57 

540 

.562 

70 

Smooth  bore  musket  (ball),    - 

.69 

400 

.650 

100 

.     '♦        "         "         (buck  and  ball), 

.69 

- 

- 

110 

English  smooth  bore  musket, 

.75 

480 

- 

no 

Hall's  carbine. 

.54 

228 

- 

60 

Merrill's  carbine, 

.56 

430 

_ 

50 

Sharp's  carbine,    .                    -                    - 

.52 

480 

- 

60 

Burnside's  carbine, 

.56 

385 

- 

75 

Colt's  revolving  carbine. 

.56 

420 

~ 

60 

U                          H                          li 

.44 

250 

- 

35 

Maynard's  carbine, 

.51 

345 

- 

55 

"                '• 

.37 

156 

25 

Colt's  army  pistol. 

.44 

250 

30 

"      navy     " 

.33 

145 

- 

17 

Horseman's  pistol, 

.54 

228 

30 

How  to  make   Cartridges. 

"When  the  cylinder  of  paper  is  not  attached  to  the  ball  by  the 
pressure  of  machinery  closing  the  annulus  around  the  base  of  the 
ball,  as  is  usually  done  in  the  C.  S.  service,  cartridges  should  be 
made  with  thin  wrappers.  The  first,  or  inner  paper  envelope,  is 
made  by  rolling  with  the  hand  the  paper  around  a  cylindrical 
mould,  generally  of  wood,  with  a  conical  cavity  at  one  end,  to  fit 
the  cone  of  the  ball.  Besides  this  paper,  a  little  rectangle  of 
paste-board  is  also  rolled,  and  the  paper  projecting  beyond,  pressed 
into  the  hollow  of  the  mould,  thus  making  a  cylinder  in  which  to 
receive  the  powder.  The  ball  is  then  placed  against  the  mould, 
the  point  of  the  cone  in  the  hollow  of  the  mouldy  and  a  third  wrap- 


75 


per  of  thin,  strong  paper,  in  shape  of  a  trapezoid,  rolled  and  pasted 
around  ball  and  powder.  The  cartridge  is  terminated  by  a  com- 
pressed fold  at  the  end  with  the  powder,  and  tied  with  twine  be- 
low the  ball.  The  outer  wrapper  is  then  lubricated  around  the 
ball,  with  a  mixture  of  two  parts  of  bleached  wax  and  one  of 
tallow. 

Buckshot  cartridges  have  4  tiers  of  3  buckshot  each,  inserted 
like  the  first,  with  a  half  hitch  between  them,  and  finishing  with 
a  double  hitch. 

Ammunition  for  Field  Pieces. 

The  charges  of  powder  are  contained  in  cartridge  hags. 

The  projectile  is  attached  to  a  block  of  wood  called  a  sabot. 

For  the  guns  and  the  12-pounder  howitzer^  the  cartridge  and 
the  projectile  are  attached  to  the  same  sabot,  making  together  a 
round  of  fixed  ammunition. 

For  32  and  2^-pounder  howitzers,  the  projectile  is  separate  from 
the  charge,  and  the  cartridge  is  attached  to  a  block  of  wood,  called 
a  cartridge  block. 

Charges  of  Powder. 


KIND. 

FOR  GUNS. 

FOR  HOWITZERS, 

12-pdr. 

6.pdr.  j 

32-pdr. 

24-pdr. 

12-pdr. 

For  shot,                .            .            .            - 
For  shell,               .            .            .            - 
For  spherical  case, 

For  canister,         -             .             .            . 
For  shell  (large  charge), 

Lbs. 

2.5 
2.0 
25 
2.0 
25 

Lbs. 

1.25 
1.25 
1.25 
1.0 

Lbs. 

3.25 
3.25 
2.5 

Lbs. 

2.5 
2.5 
2.0 

Lbs. 

1.0 

1.25 

1.0 

Cartridge  Blocks. 

Cartridge  blocks  are  cylinders  of  wood  to  which  the  cartridges 
of  howitzers  are  attached,  to  give  them  a  better  finish,  and  to  in- 
crease the  length  of  the  smaller  charges,  so  that  they  may  fill  the 
chamber  of  the  piece,  and  may  be  less  apt  to  turn  in  the  bore. 

They  are  made  of  poplar,  linden,  or  other  soft  wood. 


76 


Sabots. 


Sabots  are  made  of  pojylar,  linden  or  other  light,  close  grained 
wood.  ^  The}'  should  be  clear  of  knots  and  splits,  and  well  seasoned. 
They  are  made  with  a  cavity  to  fit  tlie  ball,  and  a  groove  around 
which  to  tie  the  cartridge,  thus  serving  as  the  means  of  connecting 
the  charge  with  the  projectile. 

Fuze  Plugs. 

The  fuzes  for  field  shells  and  spherical  case  are  inserted,  at  the 
.moment  of  loading  the  gun,  into  wooden  fuze  X'^'^gs,  previously 
driven  into  the  shells. 

These  plugs  are  made  of  beech,  perfectly  seasoned  and  dried, 
so  that  they  may  not  shrink  after  they  are  driven. 

Charging  Shells. 


Power 
required 


to  fill  the  shell, 

to  burst  the  shell,  - 

to  blow  out  the  fuze 

plug, 
for  service  charpre, 


32-pdr. 

24-1 

.dr. 

12pdr. 

Lbs.    oz. 

Lbs. 

oz. 

Lbs.    oz. 

1        5 
0      11 

1 
0- 

8 

0        8 
0        5 

0        2 

1 

0 
0 

12 

0        1 

0        7 

Riiie  01'  musket 
powder  is  iised 
iu  preference  to 
caunou  powder. 


Spherical  Case  Shot. 

CHARGE. 

8-in. 

42 

32 

24 

18 

12 

6 

Number  of  musket  balls, 
Bursting  charge  of  powder,        oz. 
Weight  of  shot  loaded,          -        lbs. 

48fi 

15 

59.5 

306 
9 
39. 

225 

8 

30.13 

175 

6 

22.75 

120 

5 

16.3 

78 
4.5 
11. 

38 
2.5 
2  5 

Cylinders  and  caps. — For  the  greater  security  of  field  ammuni- 
tion, the  cartridges  are  covered  with  paper  cylinders  and  caps. 
The  cap  is  drawn  off  at  the  moment  of  loading  the  piece,  and  in 
using  solid  shot  it  may  be  placed  over  the  shot  to  diminish  windage. 


77 


Dimensions  and  Weight  of  Fixed  Ammunition. 


FOR 

SUNS. 

FOR  HOWITZERS. 

DIMENSIONS. 

12 

6 

32 

24 

12 

In. 

In. 

In. 

In. 

In. 

Height  of  charge  of  powder,  f  ^           ^hnrtrp 
including  cartridge  blocks  J  ^^"^^^  charge,      - 

5. 

4. 

7.4 

5.9 

{  3.25 

for  ^32  and  24-pdr.  howit-  j  g^^^^  ^^^^^^^      . 

4. 

3.25 

7.4 

5.4 

Height  of  Rtrapped  shot  or  shell, 

5.02 

4.13 

7.14 

6.58 

6.42 

Height  of  canister  with  sabot. 

8. 

6.75 

10.5 

9.55 

8.75 

rshot, 

Height  of  round  of  fixed  am-  )  Shell, 

10.4 

8.43 

- 

- 

- 

10. 

munition.                                \  Spherical  case,    - 
{ Canister, 

9.5 

7.8 

_ 

- 

10. 

12.4 

10.3 

- 

- 

12.3 

WEIGHTS. 

Lbs. 

Lbs. 

Lbs. 

Lbs. 

Lbs. 

Cartridge,    including    car-  C  Large  charge, 
tridge  block.                        \  Small  charge. 

2.56 

1.3 

3.88 

2.7 

2.06 

1.05 

3.1 

2.34 

1.05 

Shot,  strapped,          .            -            -            .            . 

12.75 

6.28 

Shell,  strapped  and  charged. 

_ 

_ 

24.6 

18.8 

9.35 

Spherical  case,  strapped  and  charged. 

1143 

5.75 

31. 

23. 

11.3 

Canister  with  sabot,             .... 

148 

7  32 

28.5 

21.25 

10.8 

rshot, 

Round  of  aramuni-  !  Shell,  with  small  charge,     - 

15  4 

7.6 

_ 

_ 

27.7 

21.15 

10.5 

tion,  complete,     i  Spherical  case, 
[Canister. 

13.5 

6.82 

34.1 

25.. 34 

12,5 

16.91 

8.4 

.316 

23.6 

11.85 

78 


Contents  of  each  Packing  Box  for  Field  Afnmunition. 


FOR  GUNS 

KIND   OF    AMMUNITION. 

HOWITZERS. 

KIND   OF  AMMUNITION. 

(J 

13 

^ 

^ 

o< 

'C 

P. 

a 

o. 

p. 

C» 

rr 

2 

s 

CO 

n 

CI 

Shot. 

Shells. 

Shot  fixed,       - 

Q 

14 

Shells  fixed, 

_ 

_ 

12 

Priming  tubes, 

o 

5 

Shells  strapped,     - 

4 

6 

Portfires, 

1 

1 

^     ,   . ,          C  .xmall  charge. 
Cartridges,  J  j^^.^^  ^j^^^^^.; 

4 

6 

Slow  match,                 j'ards, 

1.5 

1.5 

1 

1 

Priming  tubes, 

3 

3 

5 

Spherical  Case. 

Portfires, 

1 

1 

I 

Slow  match,             yards. 

1.5 

1.5 

1.5 

Shot  fixed,       - 

8 

14 

r  black,     2  sec.    - 

2 

2 

6 

Priming  tubes. 

5 

5 

Fuzes,  \  ''''^'         ^  «««•    - 
'   1  green,     4  sec.    - 

4 

6 

12 

Portfires, 

1 

1 

2 

2 

6 

Slow  match,                 yards, 

1.5 

1.5 

(.  yellow,  5  sec.    - 

2 

2 

black,      2  sec. 

;5 

7 

Fuzes,     <^  green,      4  sec.       - 

8 
■3 

14 

7 

Spherical  Case. 

yellow,    5  sec. 

3 

Shot  fixed, 

_ 

_ 

12 

Canister. 

Shot  strapped, 
Cartridges,  small  charge, 

4 
4 

6 
6 

Canisters  fixed, 

Priming  tubes. 

Portfires, 

Slow  match,                 yards. 

8 
5 
1 
1.5 

14 

5 

1 
1.5 

Priming  tubes. 
Portfires, 

Slow  match,              yards, 

r  black,     2  sec.     - 

T^            1  red,         3  sec.     - 

3 

1 

1.5 

2 

4 

3 

1 

1.5 

o 

C 

5 
1 

1.5 
6 

12 

F"^««'  i  greU     4  sec.     - 

2 

2 

6 

[yellow,  5  sec.     - 

2 

2 

Canister. 

Canisters  fixed,      - 

_ 

_ 

12 

Canisters  with  sabots, 

4 

6 

Curt  ridges,  small  charge. 

4 

6 

Priming  tubes. 

3 

3 

5 

I'ortfires, 

1 

1 

1 

Slow  match,             yards. 

1.5 

1.5 

1.5 

Ammunition  for  Siege  and  Garrison  Service. 

Cartridges. 

The  ordinary  service  charge  of  powder  for  heavy  guns  is  one- 
fourth  the  weight  of  the  shot ;  hut  the  charge  varies  according  to 
circumstances,  from  one-third  the  weight  of  the  shot  (for  a  breach- 
ing battery),  to  one-sixth  of  that  weight,  for  tiring  double  shot  or 


79 


hot  shot,  and  still  less,  for  ricochet  firing.     The  charges  for  mor- 
tars and  howitzers  vary  according  to  the  required  range. 

Cartridge  bags  for  sie^e  and  garrison  service  are  usually  made 
of  woollen  stuff.  These  are  cirt  in  two  pieces,  in  the  form  of  a 
rectangle  with  semicircular  ends,  which  are  sewed  together  to 
form  the  bag.     See  Ord.  Manual,  for  the  manner  of  making  them. 

Charges  for  Shells  for  Columhiads  and  heavy   Guns. 


COLUMBIADS. 

GUNS. 

CHARGE  OF  POWDER 

10-in.    1     8m. 

42 

32 

=4 

18 

12 

To  fill  the  shell, 
To  burst  the  shell,    - 
To  blow  out  the  fuze 

plug. 
For  oriliuary  service, 

Lbs.  oz. 

3      4 
1      6 

0    10 
3      0 

Lbs.  oz. 

1     12 
1       0 

0  8* 

1  8 

Lbs.  oz. 

1      8 
0    12 

■ 

1    0      <i 

1     L       4 

Lbs.  oz. 

1      5 
0    11 

0  2 

1  0 

Lbs.  oz. 

]       0 
0      8 

0      2 
0    12 

Lbs.  oz. 

0    11 

0      7 

0     u 
0    10 

Lbs,  oz. 

0      8 
0      5 

0      1 
0      7 

The  fuzes  for  these  shells  are  made  with  paper  cases,  and  are 
inserted  at  the  time  of  loading  the  piece. 

The  fuze  plugs  are  made  of  wood,  or  of  brass,  driven  or  screwed 
into  the  fuze  hole ;  they  are  covered  with  a  cap  of  peculiar  con- 
struction which  contains  the  priming  of  the  fuze.  The  size  of  the 
plug  is  indicated  by  that  of  the  fuze  hole  in  the  shell. 

The  bursting  charge  is  poured  into  the  shell  through  the  hole  in 
the  fuze  plug. 

Wads, 

Wads  for  proving  cannon  are  made  out  of  junk. 

Wads  for  firing  hot  shot,  and  other  like  purposes,  may  be  made 
of  hay,  wrapped  with  rope  yarn ;  they  are  fabricated  in  the  same 
manner  as  junk  wads. 

Ring  wads  (or  gromniets^  as  they  are  called  in  the  naval  ser- 
vice) have  been  found  very  serviceable  in  increasing  the  accuracy 
of  fire,  and  they  are  to  be  preferred  where  the  object  of  a  wad  is 
merely  to  retain  the  ball  in  its  place.  They  consist  of  a  ring  of 
rope  yarn,  about  0.7  in.  thick,  with  two  pieces  of  strong  twine 
-tied  across  it,  at  light  angles  with  each  other.     The  size  of  the 


80 

riug  is  the  full  diameter  of  the  bore,  in  order  that  it  may  fit  tight- 
Thesc  wads  may  be  attached  with  twine  to  tlie  straps,  or  to  the- 
balls ;  or,  they  may  be  inserted,  like  other  wads,  after  the  ball. 

Military   Fireworks. 

Preparation  for  the  service  of  ammunition  are  slow-match^  quick- 
match,  port-fires,  i^riming  tmhes,  friction ^im-ers  and  fy,zes. 

Slow-Match. 

Slow-match  is  made  of  liemp,  flax,  or  cotton  rope,  about  0.6  in, 
diameter,  made  with  3  strands^,  slightly  twisted.  Cotton  rope^ 
well  twisted,  forms  a  good  match  without  any  preparation. 

To  prepare  hemp  or  flax  rope  :  boil  it  10  minutes  in  water  hold- 
ing in  solution  l-20th  of  its  weight  of  sugar  of  lead,  or  let  it  re- 
main in  the  cold  solution  imtil  it  is  thoroughly  saturated — run  it 
through  the  hands,  or  take  the  water  from  it,  and  twist  it  hard. 

Match  thus  prepared,  burns  4  inches  in  an  ho«r.  Cotton  match 
bui'ns  4i  inches  in  an  hour. 

Quick-Mateh. 
Quick-match  is  made  of  cotton  yarn — such  as  is  used  for  candle- 
wick,  by  steeping  it  in  gummed  brandy  or  whiskey,  and  theiv 
soaking  it  for  three  or  four  hours  in  a  paste  made  of  mealed  pow- 
der and  gummed  spirits.  When  dry  it  should  be  hai?d  and  stiff- 
One  yard  burns  in  the  open  air  in  13  s<^conds. 

Port  Fires. 

A  port  fire  is  a  paper  case  containing  a  compositi^m  ®f  6  parts- 
of  nitre,  3  of  sulphur  and  1  of  mealed  powder,  the  flame  of  which 
is  capable  of  quickly  igniting  primers,  quiek-match,  &c.  It  is  2^ 
inches  long,  and  burns  with  an  intense  flame  for  ten  minutes. 

PriiThing  Tubes. 

Priming  tubes  are  small  metallic  tubes  filled  with  a  paste  of 
mealed  powder  and  spirits  of  wine,  to  which  is^  attached  a  smalS 
strand  of  quick-match.  When  the  tube  is  made  of  a  quill,  they 
are  called  quill  tubes^    They  are  used  for  priming  cii^naizk. 


SI 


Pricticn  Primers. 

A  friclion  priiner  for  cannon  consists  of  a  tube  charged  with 
gunpowder,  to  the  top  of  which  at  right  angles  is  attached  a  smaller 
tube  containing  friction  powder,  which  is  exploded  by  means  of  a 
Serrated  tvire  drawn  olit  with  a  lanyard. 

Friclion  powder  is  composed  of  two  parts  of  chlorate  of  potash 
ttnd  one  of  svlphuret  of  antimony,  moistened  with  alcohol,  and 
mixed  together  in  a  wet  state. 

Lanyard.— ^hQ  lanyard  for  pulling  off  the  primers  is  a  piece  of 
i&trong  cord ;  to  one  end  is  attached  a  small  iron  hook,  and  to  the 
other  a  icood,en  toggle^ 

FuzeSi 

Fuzes  are  the  means  iised  to  ignite  the  charge  of  a  hollow  pro- 
jectile at  any  desired  moment  of  its  flight ;  they  are  classified  into 
time,  concussion  and  percussion  fuzes. 

Time  fuze.— This  fuze  is  composed  of  a  caee  Of  paper,  Wood  ot 
inetal,  enclosing  a  column  of  burning  composition,  which  is  set  on 
fire  by  the  discharge  of  the  piece,  and  which,  after  burning  a  cer- 
tain time,  communicates  with  the  bursting  charge.  Its  successful 
Operation  depends  on  the  certainty  of  ignition,  uniformity  of  hum- 
ing,  and  the  certainty  of  communicating  the  flame  to  the  bursting 
charge.  The  ingredients  of  the  fuzes  are  the  same  as  for  gun- 
powder,  but  the  proportions  are  varied  to  suit  the  required  rate  of 
burning.  Pure  mealed  powder  gives  the  quickest  composition. 
There  are  two  kinds  of  time  fuzes  used  for  field  service — the  paper 
fuze  and  the  Bormann  fuze. 

Paper  /azc— This  consists  of  a  paper  case,  which  is  charged 
with  the  fuze  composition  being  driven  firmly  in.  Sometimes  it 
is  inserted,  by  two  or  three  light  blows  with  a  wooden  mallet,  at 
the  time  of  loading  the  gun,  into  a  wooden  p)lug  previously  driven 
into  the  fuze  hole.  If  the  fuze  is  inserted  in  the  laboratory,  over 
the  top  is  fastened  a  disk  of  varnished  paper  to  protect  it,  on. 
which  is  inscribed  the  number  of  seconds  that  the  fuze  will  burn. 
The  paper  is  removed  at  the  time  of  loading. 
4* 


S9 


ruZE   COMPOSITION. 

Mr.  A  LED   rOWDKR. 

SULPHL-R. 

TIME    OF   I5UUN- 
l.NO   1   INCH. 

1  .               .               .               . 

2  ...            - 
J           .            .            .            . 
4           .            -            .            . 

1 

8 

8 

0. 
3. 

3.5 

4  0 

2  seconds. 

3  " 

4 
5 

In  the  mortar  fuze  the  composition  is  driven  into  the  wooden 
plug  bored  out  nearly  to  the  bottom,  -without  the  use  of  paper. 
The  exterior  of  the  plug  is  divided  into  inches  and  tenths.  By 
cutting  it  off,  the  time  of  burning  is  regulated.  The  seacoast 
fuze  has  a  braes  plug  and  a  metal  cap,  to  prevent  the  ingress  of 
water. 

JBormann  fuze. — This  fuze  is  an  invention  of  Capt.  Bormann 
of  the  Belgian  service,  and  is  the  only  one  used  in  the  field  at 
present  in  the  C.  S.  service,  for  firing  shell  and  spherical  case 
from  smooth  bored  guns. 

The  case  is  made  of  an  alloy  of  tin  and  lead.  Its  shape  is  that 
of  a  thick  circular  disk,  with  a  screw  thread  cut  upon  its  edge,  by 
which  it  is  fastened  into  the  fuze  hole  of  the  projectile.  The 
upper  surface  is  marked  with  an  arc  graduated  into  seconds  and 
quarter  seconds,  under  which  is  a  circular  groove  filled  with 
mealed  powder.  The  only  outlet  to  the  groove  containing  the 
powder,  is  under  the  zero  of  the  graduation ;  and  this  outlet  is 
filled  with  rifle  powder,  which  communicates  with  the  bursting 
charge.  The  upper  coating  of  metal  is  cut  with  a  knife  or  gouge 
at  the  time  of  loading.  If  the  fuzes  become  loose  by  the  effects 
of  transportation,  they  should  be  well  tightened  with  a  fuze 
wrench,  and  the  edge  around  the  fuze  well  glazed  with  a  mixture 
of  equal  parts  of  litharge  and  white  lead. 

In  the  paper  fuze  the  pressure  is  applied  at  the  direction  of  the 
axis  ;  and  hence  the  mixture  is  not  uniformly  dense,  while  in  the 
Bormann  fuze  the  pressure  is  at  right  angles  to  the  axis  of  the 
mixture,  which  renders  it  homogeneous,  and  thus  produces  great 
uniformity  in  burning. 

Concussion  fuze. — This  operates  by  the  shock  of  the  discharge, 
or  by  that  experienced  in  striking  an  object.     One  of  the  most 


S3 

celebrated  is  that  invented  by  Capt.  Spiingard  of  the  Belgian 
service.  It  has  a  tube  of  plaster  of  paris,  surrounded  by  the 
composition.  As  the  composition  burns,  the  tube  is  left  unsup- 
ported, and  is  broken  by  the  shock  of  impact,  when  the  flame  of 
the  composition  immediately  communicates  with  the  bursting 
charge.     None  are  adopted  in  the  C.  S.  service. 

Percussion  fuze. — This  explodes  by  the  striking  of  some  parti- 
cular point  of  the  projectile  against  an  object,  and  is  universally 
used  with  rifle  cannon  projectiles.  The  fuze  adopted,  has  a  move- 
able cone  piece,  bearing  a  musket  cap,  covered  by  a  brass  safety 
cap,  which  screws  into  the  fuze  hole.  Wlien  the  projectile  is  set 
in  motion,  the  cone  piece,  b}"  its  inertia,  presses  against  the 
shoulders  of  the  fuze  hole ;  when  its  motion  is  arrested,  the  mo- 
mentum of  the  cone  piece  causes  the  percussion  cap  to  impinge 
against  the  safety  cap,  which  produces  explosion.  Mealed  powder 
is  sometimes  introduced  in  the  cavity  of  the  cone  ])\ece  to  cause 
the  explosion  of  the  shell  to  take  place  after  the  explosion  of  the 
cap.  The  cone  piece  is  held  in  its  position  by  a  piece  of  "svire 
passing  through  the  safety  cap,  and  renders  the  shell  safe  in  trans- 
portation.    This  wire  is  withdrawn  at  the  instant  of  loading. 

Rockets, 

War  rockets. — A  rocket  is  a  projectile  which  is  set  in  motion  by 
a  power  residing  within  itself,  by  the  pressure  of  the  escaping  gas, 
in  the  direction  opposite  from  that  in  which  it  escapes.  It  per- 
forms the  part  both  of  a  piece  and  a  projectile.  The  cases  for 
war  rockets  are  made  of  sheet  iron,  and  lined  with  paper  or  wood 
veneer,  to  prevent  the  composition  from  touching  the  metal  and 
rusting  it.  They  are  filled  with  a  composition  of  nitre,  sulphur 
and  charcoal.  At  the  top  end  either  a  solid  shot  or  shell  is  placed. 
When  the  composition  burns  out,  fire  is  communicated  to  the  fuze, 
which  explodes  the  charge  in  the  shell.  Two  kinds  of  rockets 
have  been  used — Congreve^s  and  Hale's. 

Congrcve's  rocket  has,  like  the  ordinary  skyrocket,  a  directing 
stick ;  but  instead  of  being  tied  to  the  outside  of  the  case,  it  is 
inserted  in  the  rocket,  and  placed  directly  in  the  axis  of  the  case, 


8# 

the  flame  escaping  throagh  holes  aronnd  it.  Sir  William  Cofi'-' 
greve  was  the  first  who  made  use  of  metallic  cases,  but  was  not 
the  inventor  of  the  rocket.  These  rockets  hate  been  made  of 
iramense^'  8iz«,  the  largest  weighing  as  ranch  as  three  hundred 
pounds,  but  have  never  been  adopted  to  any  great  extent;. 

Hale's  rocket  differs  from  any  other,  in  having  no  guide  sticks 
Direction  is  given  to  it  by  imparting  the  r[ffr.  motion  to  it.  This- 
is  effected  by  placing  in  the  reai*  a  number  of  escape  holes  oblique' 
to  the  axis;  the  inequality  of  pressure  caused  in  the  escape  of  the 
gas  produces  a  rotary  motion. 

War  rockets  are  usually  fired  from  tiTbes  or  troughs  mounted 
on  portable  stands. 

Signal  rockets. — The  pjincrpal  pares  &{  a  si^al  rocket  are  the 
case^  the  composition,  the  pot,  the  decorations,  the  stick. 

The  easi  is  made  of  several  layers  of  stout  paper  pasted  to- 
gether. 

The  composition  varies  :  12  nkre,  2  sulphur,  3  charcoal  is  used  ^ 
and  for  brilliancy,  steel  filings  are  added. 

The  pot  is  formed  of  a  paper  cylinder  Slipped  ever  and  pasted' 
to  the  top  of  the  case ;  it  is  surmounted  with  a  paper  cone  filled 
with  tow.  The  object  of  the  pot  is  to  contain  the  decorations, 
which  are  scattered  through  tl>e  air  by  tlie  explosion  which  takes 
place  when  the  rocket  reaches  the  summit  of  its  trajectory. 

The  decorations  of  rockets  a?e  stars,  serpents,  marrons,  gold 
'fain,  Sfc. 

Serpents  are  made  of  smaH  paper  cases  like  a  rockefi. 

Marrons  are  small  paper  shells  fi^lled  with  grained  powdei*. 

The  stick. — The  stick  m  a  tapering  piece  of  pine  about  nine 
times  the  length  of  the  ease,  aad  is  ti^ed  to  the  side  of  the  ease  to* 
guide  the  rocket  in  its  flight. 

Incendiary  Fii  e-works. 

Fire  stone  is  a  composition  that  burns  slowly  but  intensely ;  i^ 
is  placed  in  a  shell  along  with  the  bursting  charge,  for  the  purpose 
of  setting  fire  to  ships,  buildings,  &'e.  It  is  composed  of  10  parts 
nitre,  4  sulphur,  1  antimony,  3  resin. 


Carcass,— A.  carcass  fs  a  hollow  cast  kan  projectile  filled  witrl 
i)urning  corapositioii,  the  Hame  of  ^yhich  Issnes  throtigh  four  fuze' 
holeg,  to  set  lire  to  combustible  objects.  The  composition  is  the 
same  as  for  port  fires,  mised  with  a  small  quantity  of  finely 
chopped  tow,  and  as  much  white  turpentine  and  spirits  of  turpen- 
tine as  will  g-ive  it  proper  consistency. 

A  common  shell  mr^y  be  loaded  as  a  carcass,  by  placing  the' 
bursting  charge  in  the  bottom  of  the  cavity,  and  covering  it  with 
earca?s  composition,  well  driven  in,  and  in»;eyting  four  or  five 
strands  of  quick -match. 

Hot  shot. — The  pfeeeutions  to  be  obperved  in  loading  hot  shot,^ 
are,  that  the  cartridge  be  perfectly  tight,  so  that  the  powder  shall 
?iot  scatter  along  the  bore,  and  that  a  wad  of  pure  clay,  or  hay 
soaked  in  water,  be  interco?ed  between  the  cartridge  and  th^  shot - 


ire 


Balls. 


Fire  halls  are  projectiles  of  an  oval  shape  formed  of  eacks  of 
canvas,  filled  with  combustible  composition.  They  are  used  ta 
)ight  up  the  enemy's  works  and  are  loaded  with  shells,  to  prevent 
^hcm  from  being  approached. 

The  sacks  are  made  of  strong  a>id  close  canvas  (sail  clothj'f 
which  may  be  cut  straight  and  gathered  at  the  ends ;  or  more' 
neatly,  cut  in  three  gores  or  curved  pieces,  to  form  a  ball.  The;f 
are  made  of  two  or  three  thicknesses  of  stuff,  according  to  it^ 
strength,  and  the  pieces  are  sewed  together  with  strong  thread. 

Light  Ball  So 

Light  halts  are  made  in  th<e  same  manner  as  fire  balls,  except 
that  there  is  no  shell  in  them,  as  they  are  used  for  lighting  up  ou]!' 
own  work-s. 

Tc^rred  Links  {Tonrfeaux), 

Are  used  for  lighting  up  a  rampart,  or  I'or  ineendjary  purposes^ 
They  consist  of  coils  of  soft  rope  placed  on  top  of  each  other  an(i 
loosely  tied  together;  the  exterior  diameter  h  0  inches,  the  interior 
B  inches.     They  may  be  made  of  pieces  of  slow  match  about  15 


feet  long  ?  immerse  theni  for  10  minutes  in  a  composition  of  20 
pitch  and  1  tallow,  and  shape  them  under  water ;  when  dry,  plunge 
them  in  a  composition  of  equal  parts,  of  pitch  and  rosin,  and  roll 
them  in  tow  or  saw  dust.  lu  making  them,  the  hands  of  the  work- 
men should  be  covered  with  linseed  oil. 

A  link  takes  from  1  lb.  to  li  lb.  of  composition  and  i  lb.  of  tow. 
Two  of  them  are  put  into  a  rampart  grate,  separated  by  shavings. 
They  burn  one  hour  in  calm  weather,  half  an  hour  in  a  high  wind, 
and  are  not  extinguished  by  rain.  The  grates  are  placed  about 
250  feet  apart. 

Pitched  Fascines. 

Fagots  of  vine  twigs,  or  other  very  combustible  wood,  about  20 
inches  long  and  4  inches  in  diameter,  tied  in  three  places  with 
iron  wire,  may  be  treated  in  the  same  manner  as  links,  and  used 
for  the  same  purpose ;  their  inflammability  is  increased  by  dipping 
the  ends  in  melted  fire  stone. 

Storage  and  Preservation  of  Ammunition  and  Fire 
Works. 

Leaden  halls  are  generally  kept  in  cellars,  on  account  of  their 
weight ;  the  boxes  should  be  kept  as  dry  as  possible,  and  so  piled 
as  to  admit  the  circulation  of  air  about  them. 

Cartridges  for  small  arms  are  kept  in  magazines ;  the  barrels 
or  boxes  being  piled  3  or  4  tiers  high  at  most.  If  barrels  or  boxes 
are  not  at  hand,  lay  the  bundles  flat  on  a  tarpaulin  and  pile  them 
10  high. 

Fixed  ammunition,  for  cannon. — If  not  in  boxes,  it  should  be 
placed  in  piles  formed  of  two  parallel  rows  of  cartridges,  with  the 
sabots  together;  in  4  tiers  for  12-pounder,  and  5  for  6 -pounder ; 
chock  the  lower  tier  with  strips  of  wood  fastened  with  small  nails ; 
put  a  layer  of  tow  2  inches  thick  between  tlui  shot;  let  the  piles 
rest  on  planks,  if  there  is  no  floor,  and  cover  them  with  tarpaulins; 
have  the  place  swept,  and  the  cartridge  bags  brushed  off.  Leave 
a  passage  of  18  inches  between  the  double  rows,  and  keep  them 
2  feet  from  the  walls. 


ay 

Fixed  ammunition  should  not  be  put  into  powder  magazines,  if 
it  can  be  avoided ;  it  shouM  be  kept  in  a  dry  place,  above  the 
ground  floor  if  practicable  ;  the  store  rooms  should  be  always  aired 
in  fine  weather ;  the  piles  should  be  taken  down  and  made  up 
again  every  six  months  at  most,  the  bags  examined  and  repaired, 
and  the  damaged  cartridges  broken  up.  A  ticket  on  each  pile 
should  show  the  number  and  kind  of  cartridges,  the  additions  to 
the  pile,  and  the  issues. 

Canisters.— V\]Qd  Up  like  fixed  ammunition,  in  4  tiers  for  24's 
and  J8's;  and  5,  for  12'8  and  6's.  Empty  canisters  in  10  or  12 
tiers  ;  the  bottoms  and  covers  separately. 

Cartridge  bags  filed. — Like  fixed  ammunition  or  packed  in 
boxes  or  barrels. 

Paper  cartridge  hags. — In  bundles,  packed  in  boxes  or  on 
shelves,  in  a  dry  place,  with  the  precautions  before  indicated 
against  worms  and  moths. 

Loaded  shells  should  never  be  put  into  magazines,  except  from 
absolute  necessity  ;  powder  is  not  well  preserved  in  them.  They 
should  be  piled  on  the  ground  floor  of  a  secure  building — on 
planks,  if  the  floor  is  not  boarded ;  in  6  tiers  at  most ;  the  fuzes 
of  the  lower  tier  in  the  vacant  spaces  between  the  shells ;  those 
of  the  other  tiers  turned  downward,  like  the  fuze  holes  of  empty 
shells  ;  the  pile  should  be  covered  with  a  tarpaulin. 

Slow-match.-— In  a  dry  place,  such  as  a  garret. 

Quick-match. — If  not  in  boxes,  it  may  be  hung  up  in  bundles, 
on  ropes  or  pins,  and  covered  with  paper. 

Priming  tubes,  j^ort-Jires,  fuzes,  signal  rockets. — In  safe  and 
dry  situations,  packed  in  boxes. 

Fire  balls.— In  a  cool  place,  separated  from  each  other  by 
shavings  or  straw,  if  they  are  piled  up. 

Tarred  links. — Strung  on  a  rope  and  huug  up ;  for  transporta- 
tion they  are  packed  in  barrels,  with  straw  between  the  tiers. 

Fascines  and  torches. — Packed  like  the  preceding. 

Fire  stone  and  incendiary  comjpositions  should  not  be  kept  in 
large  quantities. 


m 


Percussion  prvn^rs,  ill -cool,  dry  places,  apatt  froin  giinjioti'dei' 
and  ammunition.  Some  cannon  primers  have  exploded  under' 
circumstances  T^hicli  led  to  the  opinion  that  their  comhusiion  wag 
ppontaneoua.  I'he}'  should  be  car<5ftill|^  ]^t6t*iete6.  ftCJm  rats,  ets.f 
hy  bejnfj  enclosed  m  glasg  o?  tin- 


89 


CHAP.  YIII. 

EQUIPMENT  OF  BATTERIES  FOR  FIELD 
SERVICE. 

Equipment  of  Field  Batteries. 

Interior  Arrangement  of  Ajnmunition  Chests  for  Field  Guns  and 
Howitzers. 

The  principal  divisions  of  a  chest  are  designated  as  the  right 
half  and  the  left  half  to  a  person  facing  the  front  of  the  chest. 

The  smaller  divisions  in  each  half,  perpendicular  to  the  sides, 
are  desig-nated  as  first,  second,  third,  &c.,  from  the  principal  par- 
tition, each  way;  the  divisions  parallel  to  the  sides  are  designated 
as  the  front,  middle  and  rear  divisions. 

The  kind  of  ammunition  contained  in  the  small  divisions  is 
marked  on  the  inside  of  the  cover,  over  each  division. 


90 


Ammunition  carried  in  each  Chest. 


KIND. 

No. 

Weight. 

PLACE. 

FOK  G-POUNDEU   GUN. 

Lbs. 

Shot,  fixed,    - 

25 

190. 

An  the  left  half. 
*^In  the  1st  four  divisions  of  right  halt 

Spherical  cage,  fixed, 

20 

140. 

Canisters,  fixed, 

5 

42. 

In  5th  division,  right  half. 

Spare  cartridges,  iHb. 

2 

2.6 

On  the  spherical  case.                           . 

Friction  primers. 

75 

.97 

In  a  tin  box,  in  the  tray.                    • 

Slow  match,                   yard, 
Portfires, 

o 

.38 
.57 

>  On  the  ammunition  in  right  half. 

Total  number  of  rounds,     - 

50 

376.  .52 

FOR  12-rOUNDER   GUN. 

Shot,  fixed,    - 

20 

308. 

In  left  half,  and  iu  4th  division  of  right 
half. 

Spherical  case,  fixed, 

8 

117.6 

In  1st  and  2d  divisions,  right  halt 

Canisters,  fixed. 

4 

67.64 

In  3d  division,  right  half. 

Spare  cartridges,  SV  lbs. 

2 

5.12 

On  the  spherical  case. 

Friction  primers. 

48 

.62 

In  a  tin  box,  in  the  tray. 

Slow  match,                   yard, 
Portfires, 

1.5 

.28 
.57 

^  On  the  ammunition  in  right  half. 

Total  number  of  rounds,    - 

32 

•1119.83 

FOR  12  POUNDER  GUN 

(NAPOLEON). 

Shot,  fixed,    - 

12 

184.8 

In  1st,  2d  and  3d  divi.siona,  left  half 

Spherical  case, 

12 

176.4 

In  1st,  2d  and  3d  divisions,  right  half. 

Shells, 

4 

4d.m 

In  4th  division,  rip  lit  half. 

Canisters, 

4 

67.64 

In  4th  division,  left  half. 

Spare  cartridges,  2.5  lbs.     - 

2 

5.12 

Ou  the  shells. 

Friction  primers, 

48 

.62 

In  a  tin  box,  in  the  tray. 

'Slow  match,                   yard, 
Portfires, 

1.5 
3 

.28 
.57 

>  Ou  the  ammunition  in  right  half. 

Total  number  of  rounds,     - 

32 

484.11 

KOR  12-PDR.   HOWITZER. 

Shells,  fixed. 

15 

157.5 

In  2d,  3d  and  4th  divisions,  right  half. 

Spherical  case,  fixed. 

20 

273. 

In  left  half. 

Canisters,  fixed. 

4 

47.4 

In  1st  division,  right  half. 

Friction  primers. 

58 

.75 

In  a  tin  box  ou  the  canisters. 

Slow  match,                 yards. 
Portfires,'      - 

2 
2 

.38 
.57 

>  On  the  canisters. 

Total  number  of  rounds,    - 

39 

479  6 

91 


Ammunition  carried  in  each  Chest — Continued. 


KIND. 

No. 

a 

Weight. 

PLACE. 

FOR  24-rDR.    HOWITZER. 

Sholls,  strapped, 
Spherical  case,  strapped,     - 

Canisters, 

r  Small  charge. 

Cartridges,    -i 

[Large  charge, 
Friction  primers, 
Slow  match,                  yard, 
Poi-t  fires. 
Total  number  of  rounds,     - 

12 

8 

3 
23 

2 
34 

1 

2 

23 

Lbs. 

225.60 
214.92 

63.75 
53.82 

5.40 
.44 
.19 
.57 

564.  fi9 

In  left  half 

In  front  and  middle  divisions  of  right 

,    half. 

In  rear  divisions  of  right  half. 

12  in  middle   division,  left  half;    9  in 

middle  division,  right  half;  2  on  the 

canisters. 
On  canisters. 
In  a  tin  box  on  the  canisters. 

>  On  the  canisters. 

FOR  32-PDR.   HOWITZER. 

Shells,  strapped. 
Spherical  ca.se,  strapped,     - 

Canister, 

Friction  primers, 

Slow  match,                   yard, 

Portfires, 

Total  number  of  rounds,     - 

8 
6 

1 
15 

1 
22 
.5 

1 
15 

196.80 
216.00 

28.50 

46.50 

3.88 

.28 

.09 

.28 

492.33 

Front  and  rear  divisions  of  left  half. 
Rear  divisions  and  right  front  division 

of  right  half 
Left  front  division,  right  half. 

>  1st  division  in  each  half. 

In  a  tin  box  in  the  middle  division. 

I  In  the  middle  division. 

FOR   MOUNTAIN    HOWITZER. 

Shells,  fixed. 

Spherical  case,  fixed, 

Canisters,  fixed, 

Friction  primers, 

Slow  match,                   yard. 

Portfires, 

Total  number  of  rounds,    - 

1 

6 

1 

12 

i 

8 

9.9 
75.6 
1L8 
.15 
.09 
.28 

In  left  end. 

In  middle. 

In  right  end. 

In  water  proof  paper. 

97  82 

For  Prairie  Howitzer. — The  same  as  for  the  mountain  howitzer. 


92 


Implements  and  Equip7ncnls  for  Field  Carriages. 


KIND. 

No. 

Weight. 

PLACE. 

KOK  A   GUN    OR   HOWITZKR 

■■ 

CARRIAGE. 

Lbs. 

1 

SponRe.><  and  rammers, 

2 

Sponge  covors, 

2 

0.24 
V3.6 

Worm  and  8taff, 

k 

>  On  the  gun  carriage. 

Handspikes, 

1> 

14.5 

Sponge  bucket, 

1 

10. 

Prolonge, 

1 

12.5 

Yent  cover, 

1 

0.2 

On  the  gun. 

Tar  bucket, 

Water  bucket  Oeather),      - 

1 
o 

7. 

16. 

\  On  the  limber. 

Gunner's  haversacks, 

o 

3.72 

Tube  pouch,               -            -» 
Vent  punch, 

1 

1.80 
0.08 

In  the  implement  trays,  or  in  other 

Gunner's  pincers,      - 
Tow  hook. 

1 
1 

0.8.") 
0.00 

vacant  spaces  in  the  ammunition 
chest. 

Hausse, 

1 

0.6.5 

Thumb  stalls. 

2 

0  01 

) 

Priming  wire, 

1 

0.08 

>  In  the  tube  pouch. 

Lanyard  for  friction  primers. 

2 

0.20 

S 

Gunner's  gimlet, 
Fuze  cutter. 

1 

1 

0.08 
0.2 

>  In  the  tube  pouch. 

Tarpaulin,  large, 

1 

37.75 

Strapped  on  the  ammunition  chest. 

KOK   A   CAISSON. 

Felling  axe. 

1 

6. 

Shovel,  long  handle. 

1 

4.75 

( In  the  places  provided  for  them  on  the 

Pickaxe, 

1 

6.5 

Spare  handspike. 

1 

7.25 

caisson  body. 

Spare  pole, 

1 

2.1.  ;*o 

Spare  wheel, 

1 

180. 

Tow  hooks, 

2 

1.2 

One  in  the  limber  chest,  and  one  in  a 
caisson  chest. 

Tar  bucket. 

Watering  bucket  (leather). 

1 

7. 
16. 

>  On  the  limber. 

Tarpaulin,  large. 

1 

37.75 

Strapped  on  the  limber  chest. 

^ 


9P, 


Implements  and  Equipments  for  Prairie   Carriages. 


KIND. 


Sponges  and  rammers, 

Sponge  covers, 

Handspike, 

Vent  cover. 

Haversack, 

Tube  pouch, 

Priming  ■vvire. 

Thumb  stalls. 

Gunner's  gimlet, 

Lanyard  for  friction  primen 

Fuze  cutter, 

Gunner's  pincers. 

Tarpaulin,  6x10  feet. 

Water  bucket, 

Prolnnge, 

Tar  bucket, 


No. 

Weight. 

Lbs. 

o 

3. 

2 

2.3 

1 

5. 

1 

.18 

1 

1.86 

o 

1.80 

1 

0.08 

2 

.01 

1 

0  08 

2 

0.2 

1 

0.2 

1 

0.85 

1 

12.25 

] 

8. 

1 

_ 

1 

7. 

PLACE. 


>  On  the  carriage. 

On  the  gun. 
^  In  ammunition  chests. 


In  the  tube  pouch. 


In  tool  chest  A. 

On  the  animunition  chest. 

On  the  limber. 

On  the  gun  carriage. 

On  the  limber. 


Implements  and  Equipments  for  the  Mountain  Howitzer  Carriage. 


KIND. 

No. 

Weight. 

PLACE. 

Lbs. 

Handspike, 

Sponge  and  rammer. 

5  0 
30 

>0n  the  carriage. 

Sponge  cover. 

.11 

On  the  sponge. 

Vent  cover. 

0.18 

On  the  gun. 

Haversack, 

1.86 

?On   the   pack  with   the 
3      chests. 

ammunition 

Tube  pouch. 

1.80 

Priming  wire. 

0.08 

^ 

Gunner's  gimlet, 

0.08 

>  In  the  tube  pouch. 

Lanj^ard  for  friction  primers, 

0.2 

s 

Fuze  cutter. 

0.2 

In  ammunition  chest. 

Gunner's  pincers,      - 

0.85 

In  tool  chest  A. 

Tarpaulin,  5x5  feet, 

5.25 

On   the   pack   with    the 
chest. 

ammunition 

94 


Equipment  of  Travelling  Forges  and  Battery  Wagons* 

One  forge  and  one  battery  wagon  accompany  each  field  battery. 
They  are  furnished  with  the  tools  and  materials  required  for  shoe- 
ing horses  and  for  ordinary  repairs  and  preservation  of  carriages 
and  harness. 

Other  forges  and  battery  wagons,  equipped  for  the  general  ser- 
vice of  the  army,  accompany  the  field  park  which  contains  the 
general  supplies  of  ordnance  stores. 

The  forge  for  the  field  battery  is  designated  by  the  letter  A. 

The  forge  for  the  field  park  "  *'  "      B. 

The  lattery  wagon  for  the  field  battery  "  "  "      C. 

The  battery  wagon  for  the  field  j)arlc       "  "  *'     D. 

Equipment  of  a  Forge  for  a  Field  Battery. 

Limber  Chest. 

The  chest  is  marked  Forge  A.  The  stores  and  tools  are  car- 
ried in  6  boxes  and  1  oil  can. 

The  boxes  are  marked,  respectively,  A,  Nos.  1,  2,  3,  4,  5. 


I 


95 


Contents  of  the  Limber  Chest  of  Forge  A. 


Smith's  Tools  and  Stores. 

No. 

1  Weight. 

Smith's  Tools  and  Stores. 

No 

Weight, 

Lbs. 

1 

Lbs. 

Box  A  1,  contnininp: : 

_ 

8.25 

Box  A  5,  containing: 

^ 

14.5 

Horseshoes  Nos.  2  and  3,    - 

yo 

100. 

Fire  shovel, 

1 

3,05 

i  Poker, 

1 

l.SiO 

Box  A  2,  containing  : 

_ 

9.75 

j  Split  broom, 

1 

1.25 

Horseshoe    nails    Nos.     2 

Hand  hammer. 

1 

3.50 

and  3, 

- 

50.00 

Riveting  hammer, 

1 

1.05 

Washers  and  nuts  No.  2,   - 

30 

5.35 

Nailing  hammer,    - 

1 

1.80 

Washers  and  nnts  No.  3,    - 

10 

3.20 

Sledge  hammer,     - 

1 

10.50 

Washers  and  nuts  No.  4,    - 

4 

2.15 

1  Chisels  for  hot  iron. 

o 

3.00 

Nails  No.  1  C, 

- 

1.00 

Chisels  for  cold  iron. 

2 

3.00 

Nails  No.  2  C, 

.^ 

1.00 

Smith's  tongs, 

3 

15.00 

Tire  bolts, 

20 

5.00 

Fore  punch, 

1 

1.00 

Keys  for  ammunit'n  chests, 

5 

1.80 

Creaser, 

1 

1.00 

Linch  washers, 

8 

7.30 

Fuller, 

1 

2.40 

Linch  pins. 

12 

8.37 

Nail  claw. 

1 

5.00 

Chains  Nos.  1  and  2,        ft. 

2 

1.54 

Round  punch. 

1 

2.10 

Coldshut  5-llnks,  No.  3,    - 

50 

2.50 

Tap  wrench. 

1 

3^.75 

Coldshut  5-links,  No.  5,     - 

12 

2.00 

Die  stock, 

1 

6.25 

Total    contained    in    Box 

Nave  bands,  developed,  - 

4 

11.75 

A  2, 

- 

91.11 

Tire  bands,  developed,     - 
Total    contained  in  Box 

o 

2.75 

Box  A  3,  containing: 

_ 

8.25 

A5,          - 

_ 

80.05 

Horseshoes  Nos.  2  and  3,   - 

90 

100.00 

Shoeing  box.  Containing : 

- 

4.7 

Box  A  4,  containing  : 

- 

8.0 

Shoeing  hammer, 

0.82 

Hand  cold  chisels, 

2 

2.00 

Pincers,                         pair, 

2.00 

Hardie, 

1 

0.75  1 

Rasps  (12  inches). 

2.13 

Files   assorted,   Tvith  han- 

1 

Shoeing  knife, 

0.33 

dles, 

12 

10.00 

Toe-knife, 

0.30 

Buttress, 

1 

1.50  I 

Pritchel, 

0.85 

Hand  punches,  round  and 

Nail  punch. 

0.80 

square, 

2 

2.00  i 

Clinching  iron. 

1.00 

Screw  wrench. 

1 

2.42 

Oil  stone, 

1.50 

Hand  screw  driver. 

1 

C.32  ! 

Leather  aprons,     - 

2 

3.00 

Hand  vise,    -            -            - 

1 

1.00 

Total  contained  in  shoe- 

Smith's callipers,          pair, 

1 

0.40 

ing  box. 

■  _ 

12.75 

Taps,             ?Nos.   1,    2,    3, 
Dies,  pairs,  )      and  4, 

4 

150 

4 

1.83 

Iron  square,  in  clamps  on 

Wood  screws,  ?          „..^„„ 
1  in.  No.  14,   \         e^^^^' 

1 

2.10 

the  inside  of  cover. 

1 

2.00 

Padlock,  on  chest. 

1 

0.50 

Quart  can  of  sperm  oil.     - 

1 

2.70 

Tow,  used  in  packing,      - 

- 

5.00 

Total    contained    in    Box 

Tar-bucket,  on  its  hook. 

1 

7.00 

A  4, 

_ 

28.52  1 

1 

1 

Total, 

- 

480  38 

nc. 


Boxes  Nos.  1,  2  and  3  are  placed  in  the  bottom  oi"  the  chesl: 
No.  1  against  the  left  band;  No.  2  in  the  middle. 

No.  4  is  placed  on  top  of  Nos.  1  and  2,  against  the  left  end  and 
the  back  of  tlie  chest;  the  division  for  the  oil  can  on  the  left  hand. 

No.  5  is  placed  on  top  of  Nos.  1,  2  and  3,  against  the  front  of 
the  chest. 

The  shoeing  box  is  placed  on  No.  3,  against  the  right  end  and 
the  back  of  the  cliest. 

The  tools  and  stores  in  all  the  boxes,  and  in  the  forges  and  bat- 
tery wagons,  are  securely  packed  with  tow. 

Contents  of  Forge  Body  A. 


TOOLS  AND  STORES. 

No. 

Weight. 

PLACE. 

Lbs. 

Square  iron,  i  in.  and  fio- 

_ 

100.00 

Flat  iron,  li  in.xf  in.,  1  in.xl  in.,  and  1^ 

In  the  iron  room.    Tho 

iu.xl  in.                 .... 

."0.00 

1      bars  not  more  than  3 

Round  iron,  Hn.     - 

- 

50.00 

1      feet  long;  the  square 

Cast  8teel,  f  in.  square,     - 

_ 

5.00 

iron  iu  2  bundles. 

English  blister  steel. 

_ 

5.00 

Box  A  6,  containing : 

_ 

8  25 

Horse-slioes,             .... 

100 

108.25 

In  the  iron  room. 

Water  bucket,  wood. 

1 

10.00 

On  its  hook. 

Anvil,            ..... 

1 

100.00 

On  the  fire  place. 

Vise, 

1 

29.00 

Fixed  on  the  stock  of 
the  carriage. 

Water  bucket,  leather,      - 

] 

8.00 

On  the  vise. 

liituniinous  coal,     -            -            -            - 
Coal  shovel,              .... 

1 

250.00 
4.75 

>  In  the  coal  box. 

Padlock, 

1 

0.50 

Ou  coal  box. 

Tow,             ..... 

2.00 

Total,  exclusive  of  vise, 

0!i:i50 

To  put  the  box  in  the  iron  room  or  take  it  out,  loosen  the  thumb 
nuts  and  raise  the  rear  of  the  bellows  an  inch. 

EQUIPMENT  OF  A  BATTERY  WAGON  FOR  A  FIELD  BATTERY. 

The  battery  wagon  for  a  field  battery  is  designated  by  the  let- 
ter C. 

Limber  Chest. 
The  chest  is  marked  on  the  front  side  Battery  wagon  C. 
The  tools  and  stores  are  carried  in  4  hoxes  and  1  oil  can. 
The  boxes  are  marked,  respectively,  C,  Nos.  1,  2,  3  and  4. 


d-y 


Contents  of  Limber  Chest  for  Battery    Wagon  C. 


TOOLS  AND  STORES 

Xo. 

Weight. 

TOOLS   AND  STORES. 

No. 

Weight. 

Carriage  Makers'  Tools. 

Lbs. 

LbH. 

Box  C  3,  containing:     - 

_ 

12  5 

?rvrt°i°:;t»' 

\   " 

4.00 

Felling  axe,   \  with    ban- 
Afize,              5     dLs, 

5 1 
1 1 

6.00 

(14-in.)       5        ''^   *''^- 

\      1 

1£0 

Krame  saw. 

1 

4..=0 

Quart  can  of  spt  rm  oil,    • 

1 

2.70 

Box  C  1,  containing: 

- 

8  25 

Jack.  I'laiie, 

■        1 

4.15 

Sadhrs'  Tools  and  Stores. 

Smoothing  plane,    • 

1 

1.80 

Brace,  with  24  bits, 

1 

4  35 

Mallet, 

] 

1.75 

Spoke  shave. 

1 

0  30 

Cl.amp, 

1 

5.00 

Gauge, 

.        1 

0  30 

. 



Plane  irons, 

2 

1.05 

23.25 

Saw  set, 

1 

0  25 

Rule  (2  feet), 

1 

0.14 

Box  C  4,  containing  :     • 

_ 

11.00 

Gimlets, 

12 

0.1J5 

Hammer,     - 

1 

0.65 

Compasses,                   pair 

1 

0.18 

Shoe  knife, 

1 

0  09 

Chalk  line, 

1 

0.10 

Half  round  knife,  - 

1 

0.-.'8 

Brad  awls. 

2 

0.17 

Shears,                          pair, 

1 

0  47 

Sciiher, 

1 

0.15 

Sandstone, 

1 

1.54 

Saw  files  (4.V-in.),     - 

12 

0  87 

Rule  (2  feet). 

1 

0.14 

"Wood  tiles  (lO-in  ), 

2 

1.12 

Needles,       - 

100 

0.(8 

Wood  rasp  (10  in  ). 

1 

0  40 

Awls  and  handles. 

12 

0.75 

Trying  scjuare  (S-in.), 

1 

0.60 

Punches,      - 

2 

0  22 

Hand  screw  driver, 

1 

0  32 

I'incers,                        pair, 

1 

0.75 

Pliers,                             pair. 

1 

0.22 

17  20 

Claw  tool,  - 

1 

0  12 

•Creaser, 

1 

0.15 

Box  C  2,  containing: 

_ 

17.5 

Thimbles,    - 

4 

0.06 

Oil  stone. 

1 

1.50 

.*>trap  awl,  - 

1 

0  01 

Broad  axe, 

1 

6  00 

Beeswax,                         lbs. 

2 

2  00 

Hand  axe, 

1 

5.00 

Black  wax,                    lbs. 

3 

3  00 

Claw  hatchet. 

1 

2(.0 

Bristles,                            oz. 

8 

0  50 

Claw  hammer. 

1 

1.60     1 

Shoe  thread,                  lbs. 

5 

5  00 

Pincers  (small),             pair 

1 

11)6 

Patent  thread,               lbs. 

2 

2.00 

Table  vise, 

1 

3.80 

Buckles  (assorted,  .75-in. 

Framing  chisels  (1-in.  and 

to  1.5-in.),                  doz. 

3 

1.00 

2-in.), 

o 

3.00 

Tacks,                              M. 

3 

0.75 

Firmer    chisels    (5-in.    and 

Gunners'  callipers. 

1 

0..50 

U-in.), 

2 

1.00 

Shoe  knives, 

2 

0  18 

Framing  gouges  (1-in.  anc 

Scissors,                      pairs, 

2 

0  20 

1.4-in.), 

2 

2.60 

Angers  and  handles  (i-in. 

20  66 

1-in.  and  5-  in.) 

3 

2  35 

Padlock,  on  the  chest. 

1 

0  50 

Screw  wrench, 

1 

2  42 

Tar  bucket,  on  its  hook,  - 

1 

7  00 

Tow,  for  packing. 

- 

7.00 

32.23 

Total, 

- 

162.59 

Boxes  Nos.  1  and  2  occupy  the  bottom  of  the  chest;  No.  1 
against  the  left  end. 

Nos.  3  and  4  are  placed  on  top  of  Nos.  1  and  2;  No.  3  against 
the  rear  of  the  chest. 


98 


Wagon  Body  C. 

The  large  stores  are  piled  loosely  in  the  body  and  in  the  till ; 
the  small  stores  and  tools  are  packed  in  Jive  boxes. 

The  boxes  are  marked,  respectively,  C,  Nos.  5,  6,  7,  8,  and  can- 
dle box  C. 

There  are  seven  cans — hvo  marked  C,  Neat's-foot  Oil;  one 
marked  C,  Linseed  Oil;  07ie  marked  C,  Turpentine;  two 
marked  C,  Olive  Paint  ;  one  marked  C,  Black  Paint. 


1 


Contents  of  Wagon  Body  C. 


tools  and  stores. 


Box  C  5,  containing  in  5 
cans: 

Linseed  oil,  gal. 

Spirits  turpentine,         gal. 
Olive  paint,  lbs. 

Black  paint,  lbs. 

Total  in  box  C  5, 

Box  C  7,  containing  in  2 
cans  and  2  kegs : 
Neat's  foot  oil,  gals. 

Grease,  lbs. 


Box  C  8,  containing : 
Nails  (4,  6,  8  and  10  pen- 
ny), lbs. 
Felling  axes  in  axe  rack,  - 


No. 

Weight. 

Lbs. 

_ 

17.5 

1 

9.17 

1 

8.77 

50 

56. 

5 

6.5 

80.44 

28. 

4 

32.80 

.50 

60. 

92.80 

- 

6. 

20 

20. 

2 

12. 

TOOLS  AND  STORES. 


Claw  hatchet. 
Hand  bills, 


m    axe 
rack, 


Box  C  6,  containing 
Paint  brushes. 
Sperm  or  wax  candles,  lbs. 
Rammer  heads. 
Sponge  heads, 
Sponges,      - 
Priming  wires. 
Gunners'  gimlets. 
Lanyards  for  friction  pri 

mers, 
Cannon  spikes. 
Dark  lanterns. 
Common  lanterns, 

Total  in  box  C  6, 


No.  Weight. 


Lbs. 

2. 

4! 


17.5 
3.00 
7.85 
2.90 
3.20 
3.00 
0.24 
0.24 

0.40 
0.30 
3.00 
4.60 

28.73 


99 


Contents  of  Wagon  Body  C. — Continued. 


TOOLS  AND  STORES. 

No. 

Weight. 

REMARKS. 

Caisson  stock, 

1 

Lbs. 
35. 

Under  the  till,  against  the  side  and 
rear  of  the  wagon. 

Splinter  bar. 

1 

15. 

Kammers  and  sponges,   - 

3 

13.5 

On  the  caisson  stock,  against  rear 
end. 
On  the  bottom ;    piled  lengthwise 

Spokes,      .... 

40 

72. 

against  the  front  end. 

Fellies,       .... 

24 

160. 

On  the  spokes,  crosswise. 

Grindstone,  14-in.  x  4-in. 

1 

50. 

1  On  the  fellies,  against  the  left  side 
5    of  the  wagon. 

Arbor  and  crank  for  do. 

1 

6.5 

Screw  jacks. 

3 

75. 

On  the  fellies,  against  the  front  and 
the  till. 

Wheel  traces. 

10 

47.5 

Leading  traces,    - 

Collars,      .... 

10 
6 

57.5 
27  5 

In  a  pile  occupying  30  inches  at  the 

Girths,        .... 
Whips,       .... 
Bridles,      .... 
Halters,      .... 
Halter  chains, 

16 
16 

Q 

11. 

8. 
18 

rear  end  of  the  wagon,  between 
the  left  side  and  the  caisson  stock, 

and  up  to  the  top  of  the  till ;  the 

6 
12 

21! 
15.5 

collars  piled  on  each  other,  from 
the  bottom. 

Hame  straps. 

25 

4.5 

Spare  nose  bags,  - 

Sash  cord,                          pieces, 

12 
6 

13.5 
10. 

I  On  the  harness. 

Slow  match,                       yards, 

2 

0.25 

On  box  No.  7,  to  the  left  of  No.  8. 

Elevating  screw, 
Pole  yoke. 

1 
1 

15.75 
12.25 

>  On  the  pile  of  harness. 

Harness  leather,                   side. 

1 

25. 

1  Under  the  till,  in  front  of  the  pile  of 

Bridle  leather,                       sides. 

2 

22. 

5   harness,  against  the  caisson  stock. 

Prolonge, 

1 

12.5 

On  box  No.  7,  in  front  of  No.  8. 

Scythes, 

4 

9. 

In  the  till,  against  the  front  end. 

Scythe  stones. 

4 

6. 

In  the  curve  of  the  scythes. 

Spades, 

6 

30. 

In  the  till ;  the  bits  against  rear  end. 

Pick  axes  and  handles,    - 

2 

13. 

Between  the  spade  handles. 

Corn  sacks. 

24 

20. 

On  the  scythes. 

Tarpavilins,  5  feet  square, 

2 

18. 

On  the  corn  sacks.against  front  end. 

Reaping  hooks,    - 

4 

3.85 

Fastened  to  the  ridge  pole  with  a 
wooden  clamp  and  a  leather  strap. 

Scythe  snaths,     - 

4 

12. 

Fastened  to  the  ridge  pole  with  two 
leather  straps  and  buckles. 

Spare  stock  for  battery  wagon, 

1 

90. 

In  the  spare  stock  stirrup. 

Padlock, 

1 

0.5 

Watering  bucket. 

1 

8. 

Tied  to  the  forage  rack. 

Forage,      .... 

- 

- 

In  the  forage  rack. 

Boxes,        .... 

4 

69. 

Tow,          .... 

- 

24.5 

Total, 

- 

1292.57 

Exclusive  of  forage. 

100 


For  Equipment  of  the  Forge  for  the  Field-Park,  and  the  Bat- 
tery Wagon  for  the  Field-Park,  see  Ord.  Manual,  2d  edition, 
pp.  346-354. 

Forge  for  the  Mountain  Howitzer. 

Two  chests,  designated  the  forge  chest  and  the  smiths'  tool  chest, 
contain  the  forge  and  the  necessary  tools  for  shoeing  horses  aud 
making  repairs. 

The  chests  are  carried  on  the  sides  of  the  pack-saddles,  fastened 
by  means  of  the  lashing-chain. 

The  coal  sack,  containing  the  charcoal,  is  fastened  to  the  aro 
by  the  handles. 

Contents  of  fie  Forge  Chest. 


TOOLS  AND  STORES. 

No. 

Weight. 

WHERE  PLACED. 

Lbs. 

Fire  place  and  frame,  folded  up, 

1 

3L5 

On  its  Ride,  the  bottom  against 
the  back  of  the  chest. 

Bellows,  closed,    • 

1 

18.25 

The  right  journal  in  the  hole  in 
the  eleat  on  the  bottom,  the  left 
in  that  in  the  clamp  ;  the  nozzle 
fastened  to  its  support  by  the 
strap. 

Bellows  handle,    - 

1 

1.875 

On  its  cleat. 

Wrench  for  nuts  Nos.  1  and  4,    - 

1 

1.0 

Ill  its  bracket. 

1  hand  hammer  with  handle,      - 

1 

S-.^To 

Placed  upright  near  the  wrench. 

1  riveting     "          "           " 

1 

1.5625 

"             "            "        "         " 

1  fore  punch  and  creaser  on  same 

handle,    ...            - 

1 

1.844 

"             "            "        '<        " 

Bugs  of  horse  shoe  nails, 

o 

10.0 

Packed  with  tow  in  the  space  to 
th^  right  of  the  bellows. 

Weight  of  forge  chest,  with  cleats  and  clamps,  45.      lbs. 

"        of  tools  and  stores,  -  -  -        68.4       " 

"        of  forge  chtst,  packed,     ■  •      113.49    " 


101 


Contents  of  Smiths'  Tool  Chest. 


TOOLS  AND  STORES. 

No. 

Weight 

WHERE  PLACED. 

Lbs. 

Anvil  and  block, 

38.5 

The  head  in  the  mortise  of  the 
rent,  the  block  necured  by  the 
strap  aud  but-kle. 

Water  bucket  (iron),      - 

4.6875 

On  the  moveable  cleat  resting  on 
tlie  anvil  blo<k. 

Pair  shoeing  pincers. 

l.tilo 

In  its  cleat  on  the  front  with  the 
vise. 

Vipp,            .... 

2.n.-)6 

In  its  cleat. 

Nailinp  hammer, 

L.-i 

In  brarkets  on  front. 

Shnt'ing      "           .            -            - 

.><75 

"          "          "       " 

Spli'iing  chisel,    - 

.8125 

"          "          "       " 

Tongs,                   •           -     pair. 

1.6875 

In  triangular  cleat  in  the  corner. 

Pritihel, 

.718 

"          "              "         '<            " 

Ha.dio. 

.4"fi 

In  rack  on  the  left  end. 

Cl<-uching  iron,     - 

1 

.9375 

"      "         "             " 

Shoeing  knife. 

.406 

In  rack  on  the  left  end. 

poker. 

.5 

1 

Shovel, 

.6875 

i  In  two  wooden  racks  on  the  back 

Rake, 

..531 

f     of  the  chest. 

N  dl  punch. 

.064 

J 

Buttress, 

1.469 

On  two  hooks  in  the  poker  rack, 
held  by  a  burton. 

Toe  knife, 

.50 

In  its  cleats  on  the  back  of  the 
chest. 

Papp, 

1.5 

Mn    two  racks   on    the    back  of 
>      chest,  near  the  left  end. 

Square  file,            ... 

.719 

Flat  lile, 

1031 

)  In    two  cleats   on    the  inside   of 
>      cover,  held  by  a  button. 

Half  round, 

.8125 

Bags  horseshoe  nails. 

2 

10. 

One  on  the  bottom   at   the   left 
end,  the  other  in  the  bucket. 

Weight  of  the  chest  with  cleats  and  racks,        44.        lbs. 
"  "        tools  and  stores,        •  •        72  875    " 

"  "        chest  packed,  •  •      116  875    " 

Carriage  Makers^   Tools  and  Stores. 

The  tools  and  stores  for  the  use  of  carriage  makers,  in  repair- 
ing the  carriages  and  equipments,  are  packed  in  two  chests,  which 
are  like  those  for  the  ammunition,  but  without  the  interior  divi- 
sions. 

The  two  classes  are  designated  by^the  letters  A  and  B. 


iU2 


Contents  of  Carriage  Makers'   Tool  Chests. 


Chest  A. 

No. 

Weight. 

Chest  A. 

No. 

Weight. 

Lbs. 

Lbs. 

Claw  liatchet, 

1 

2.125 

Wood  files,  12-inch, 

2 

1.125 

Nailing  hatchet, 

1 

1.75 

Sickles,       - 

2 

2.125 

Firm(h-  chisels,  i  and  i  in. 

o 

.594 

Gunners'  gimlet,   - 

1 

0.083 

Trying  square, 

1 

.422 

Priming  wire, 

1 

0.08 

Bevel, 

i 

.375 

Gunners'  pincers. 

1 

1.25 

Augers,  i  and  f  inch,  and 

Fuze  cutter, 

1 

one  handle. 

y 

1.375 

Papers  of  sprigs,  1  in.  and 

Riveting  hammer,   - 

1 

1.5 

U  in.        - 

o 

1.0 

Hand  saw. 

1 

2.0 

Papers  of  tacks,  8  oz.  and 

Jack  plane. 

i 

4.25 

12  oz.       - 

o 

1.25 

Screw  driver. 

1 

.375 

Wood  screws,  i  in.  No.  9, 

60 

0.31 

Rule  (two  feet),       - 

1 

.156 

Lbs.  sash  cord, 

2 

2.0 

Gimlets, 

3 

.1875 

Lbs.  twine, 

^ 

.5 

Hand  saw  files, 

a 

.125 

Weight  of  chest, 

"        of  tools  and  stores, 
"        of  chest  packed, 


21.       lbs. 
24.96    " 
46.96    " 


Chest  B. 

No. 

Weight. 

Chest  B. 

No. 

Weight. 

Lbs. 

Lbs. 

Hand  axe,    - 

3.25 

Brad  awls. 

6 

.5 

Claw  hatchet, 

2.125 

Sickles, 

2 

2.125 

Nailing  hatchet, 

1.75 

Gunners'  gimlet,   - 

1 

0.083 

Firmer  chisels. 

0.594 

Priming  wire, 

1 

0.08 

Firmer  gouge, 

0.25 

Papers  tacks,  8  &  12  oz.  - 

2 

1.125 

Pair  compasses. 

0.25 

Lb.  twine. 

i 

0.5 

Trying  square,  6  inches,    - 

0.422 

Leather  thongs,     - 

25 

0.344 

Scriber, 

0.125 

Wood   screws,  1^  and  1 

Riveting  hammer. 

1.5 

inch.  No.  14,       - 

36 

0.562 

Mallet, 

2.25 

Wood   screws,   1*^   and  2 

Gimlets, 

0.1875 

inch,  No.  16,       - 

12 

0.312 

Screw  driver, 

0.375 

Nuts   No.    1  ;    2,    No.   2 ; 

Wood  rasp, 

0.5 

(),  No.  4, 

12 

0.625 

Oil  stone. 

1.812 

Washers  No.  1,      - 

12 

0.437 

Weight  of  chest, 
*•  of  tools, 
"       of  chest  packed, 


21.  lbs. 
22.083  " 
45. 


The  sickles  are  fastened  to  the  front  and  back  of  the  chests 
(inside)  by  small  cleats  at  the  necks  and  points.  The  other  arti- 
cles are  securely  packed  in  tow,  the  edges  of  the  cutting  tools 
being  carefully  wrapped  up,  to  prevent  injury. 


103 


Weights  of  Gun  Carriages  and'  Caissons,  Equipped  for  Field 
Service, 


DESIGNATION. 

FOR 

GUNS. 

FOR  HOWITZERS. 

6-pdr. 

12-pdr. 

12-pdr. 

24-pdr. 

32-pdr. 

GUN  CARRIAGE. 

Lbs. 

Lbs. 

Lbs. 

Lbs. 

Lbs. 

Gun,          ..... 

884 

1757 

788 

1318 

1890 

Gun  carriage,  without  wheels, 

540 

783 

540 

736 

783 

Two  wheels,        .... 

360 

392 

360 

392 

392 

Limber  body,  without  wheels, 

335 

335 

335 

335 

335 

Two  wheels,        .... 

360 

360 

360 

360 

360 

Ammunition  chest,  with  interior  divi- 

sions,                .... 

185 

182 

206 

198 

192 

Ammunition,  packed,    - 

395 

497 

465 

541 

470 

Large  tarpaulin, 

36 

36 

36 

36 

36 

Other  implements  and  equipments,    - 

83 

86 

83 

86 

86 

Total  weight. 

3178 

4428 

3173 

4002 

4544 

Number  of  rounds  of  ammunition  on 

each  limber. 

50 

32 

39 

23 

15 

CAISSON. 

Lbs. 

Lbs. 

Lbs. 

Lbs. 

Lbs. 

Body,  without  wheels, 

432 

432 

432 

432 

432 

Two  wheels,        .... 

360 

360 

360 

360 

360 

Two  ammunition  chests. 

370 

364 

412 

396 

384 

Ammunition,  packed  in  do. 

790 

994 

930 

1082 

940 

Limber  body,  without  wheels. 

335 

335 

335 

335 

335 

Two  wheels,        .... 

360 

360 

360 

360 

360 

Ammunition  chest, 

185 

182 

206 

198 

192 

Ammunition,  packed  in  do.      - 

395 

497 

465 

541 

470 

Large  tarpaulin. 

36 

36 

36 

36 

36 

Other  implements  and  spare  parts,    - 

246 

246 

246 

246 

246 

Total  weight, 

3509 

3806 

3782 

3986 

3755 

Number  of  rounds  of  ammunition  on 

each  caisson  and  its  limber. 

150 

96 

117 

69 

45 

m 


Weights  of  Forges  and    Battery   Wagons    equipped  for    Field 

Service. 


>. 

V 

^• 

1 

^ 

DESIGNATION. 

(^ 

A 

^ 

* 

u. 

h 

o 

o 

b 

fe 

FOUOK. 

Lbs. 

Lbfl. 

Body  complete,  •without  wheels, 

. 

997 

997 

Twr.  wheclx, 

b6{) 

3()0 

Anvil  and  water  buckets. 

118 

llrf 

St'ires  ill  iron  room, 

320 

455 

Stores  in  coal  box. 

255 

255 

lJail)er  body,  without  wheels, 

.3M5 

335 

Two  wbefU, 

3fi0 

3()0 

Limb.-r  chest,  empty,      - 

l^S 

l.-i8 

Stores  and  tools  on  the  limber, 

480 

332 

Total  weight. 

33c3 

3370 

BATTERY 

WAGONS. 

Lbs. 

Lbs. 

Body  complete,  without  wheels, 

. 

itlO 

910 

Two  wheels, 

3(10 

3fi0 

Stores  in  wagon  body. 

r-'89 

2583 

Limber  body,  without  wheels, 

3:<5 

335 

Two  wheels, 

.3fio 

3f)0 

Limber  chest,  empty,      • 

158 

1.^.8 

Stores  and  tools  on  ihe  limber. 

• 

162 

200 

Total  wei 

ght( 

pxclup 

ve  of  fornge) 

- 

3574 

4915 

Field  Train. 
Ordnance. 

The  proportion  of  artillery  to  otlier  troops  varies  generally  be- 
tween the  limits  of  1  and  3  pieces  to  1,000  men,  according  to  the 
force  of  the  army,  the  character  of  the  troops  of  which  it  is  com- 
posed, the  force  and  character  of  the  enemy,  the  nature  of  the 
country  which  is  to  be  the  theatre  of  war,  and  the  character  and 
oltjects  of  the  war. 

Similar  considerations  must  regulate  the  selection  of  the  kinds 
of  ordnance  and  the  proportions  of  the  different  kinds  in  the 
train. 


106 

The  following  principles  may  be  observed  in  ordinary  cases : 

(  i  guns,  of  which       \  I  «;?  1|-P^"- 
2peces  to  1,000  men.  ^  H   ,.     o?  j  oo    j 

hhowit.-s.of.hieh||::  '^i-'tr'^^-p^'' 

Distributed  as  follows : 

For  the  ivfanlry. — 1  piece  to  1,000  men;  6-pdr.  guns  and 
12-pdr.  howitzers,  in  batteries  of  foot  artillery. 

For  the  cavalry. — 2  pieces  to  1,000  men ;  6-pdr.  guns  and 
12-pdr.  howitzers,  in  batteries  of  horse  artillery. 

For  the  special  and  general  parks  of  reserve : 

(  ^  in  12-pdr.  batteries  ^  ^r  ^^^f  ovf;ii^v« 

1  piece  to  1,000  men.  J  J  "    6-pdr.         -        \  °^  ^^°*  artillery. 

(  1-6  in  6-pdr.  batteries  of  horse  artillery. 

Ammunition  for  Cannon. 

200  rounds  to  each  piece,  both  of  the  reserves  and  of  the  active 
batteries. 

The  ammunition  which  cannot  be  carried  in  the  caissons  at- 
tached to  the  pieces  will  be  kept  in  boxes  with  the  reserves. 

Additional  supplies  of  ordnance  and  ordnance  stores  are  placed 
in  convenient  depots,  according  to  circumstances. 

Ammunition  for  Small  Arms. 

100  rounds  to  each  man ;  of  which,  for  the  musket,  40  rounds 
are  in  the  cartridge  box,  60  in  the  parks  of  reserve.  In  the  same 
proportion  for  other  small  arms. 

Percussion  caps  in  the  proportion  of  12  caps  to  10  cartridges. 


5* 


106 


Composition  of  a  Battery  on  the   War  Establishment. 


KIND   OF  BATTERY. 

12-pdr. 

6-pdr. 

f^,.^.^                  C  12-pouririers,  mounted, 

^^^-                \    fi-poundt^rs,        "... 

HowiTZEH..  \it'^:'X'.:    ::       :        :        : 

Total  number  of  pieces, 

4 
2 

0 

4 

2 

6 

ossoxs,    fSu^ZLer.. :         :         :         : 

8 
4 

4 
2 

12 

6 

Travflling  forge, 

Battery  wago.v,                    .... 

1 
1 

i 
1 

Whole  number  of  carriages  with  a  battery, 

20 

14 

AMMUNITION'.  ^ 

C  Shot,    - 
For  4  guns.           <  Spherical  case, 
(Cauiaters, 

C  Shells, 
For  2  howitzers.  I  Spherical  case, 
(  Canisters, 

448 

358 

ilO 

896 

168 
112 
42 

322 

400 
320 
80 

600 

120 
160 
32 

312 

Total  number  of  rounds  with  a  battery, 

1,218 

1,112 

^»"--  "»--■  r4a«t»re"of::.wem,,.         :                   ! 

120 
10 

84 
7 

Total, 

130 

91 

Note. — For  two  32 
the  number  of  ro 


2pdr.  howitzer  carriages  and  4  caiesoui;,  )  ^^f  ,^'     ,    „  ' 
Dunds  of  ammunition  is  -  .\  gPjjJJt'^?^  "^**.^ 


112 
84 
14 


Total, 


Harness,  corresponding  to  the  number  of  horses  to  the  carriages. 


101 


Battery  of  Mountain  Homtztrs. 

Howitzers,  -  -  -  .6 

Gun  carriages,       -  -  -  -7 

Ammunition  chests,  -  -  -  36  (48  rounds  for  ^.  howitzef.) 

Forge  and  tools,  in  two  chests,    -  -     1 

Set  of  carriage  makers'  tools,  in  2  chests,     1 

Pack  saddles  and  harness,  -  -  33 

Horses  or  mules,  -  -  -  33 

Such  additional  supplies  of  the  above  kinds  as  may  be  thought 
■necessary  will  be  carried  with  the  park  of  reserve,  together  with 
the  necessary  ammunition  for  infantry,  in  packs. 

A  mountain  howitzer  ammunition  chest  will  carry  about  700 
musket  ball  cartridges. 

Rocket  Battery. 

No  regular  organization  of  a  rocket  battery  has  been  arranged. 

The  nature  and  number  of  rockets,  and  of  carriages  or  con- 
ductors, will  be  determined  by  the  character  of  the  service  for 
which  they  may  be  required. 

The  Field  Park. 

The  spare  carriages,  reserved  supplies  of  ammunition,  tools 
and  materials  for  extensive  repairs,  and  for  making  up  ammuni- 
tion, for  the  service  of  an  army  in  the  field,  form  the  field  park^ 
to  which  should  be  attached  also  the  batteries  of  reserve. 

The  quantities  of  these  supplies  must  depend  in  a  great  mea- 
sure on  the  particular  circumstances  of  the  campaign. 

The  ammunition  required  for  artillery  and  small  arms  (accord- 
ing to  the  proportions  above  stated),  in  addition  to  what  can  be 
carried  by  the  batteries  and  the  troops,  will  be  carried  with  the 
park,  in  caissons,  or  in  store  wagons. 

For  Ordnance  for  Siege  Train,  see  Ord.  Manual,  2d  edition, 
p.  364-368. 

For  Armament  of  Fortifications,  see  Ord.  Manual,  2d  edition, 
p.  369-373. 


108 


CHAP.  IX. 

MECHANICAL  MAKCEUVRES  AND  ARTILLERY 
PRACTICE. 

A  board  of  officers  has  been  recently  charged  with  revising  and 
arranging  the  manoeuvres  of  heavj'  ordnance  ;  some  general  direc- 
tions with  regard  to  the  mechanical  manoeuvres  are  retained  here 
for  present  use. 

Field  Artillery. 

The  manoeuvres  may  be  porforraed  by  the  men  attached  to  the 
piece,  and  require  no  other  implements  than  those  belonging  to 
the  piece. 

Begin,  in  all  cases,  by  unlimbering  and  taking  off  the  imple- 
ments attached  to  the  carriage. 

To  change  a    Wheel. 

Tighten  the  cap  squares  ;  raise  the  elevating  screw  to  its  wh.de 
height;  raiiJo  the  carriage  b}'  means  of  two  handspikes,  one  in  the 
b<»re  of  the  piece,  and  the  otiier  crossed  under  the  first;  support 
the  carriage  whilst  the  wheel  is  changed.  For  the  12  pdr.  car- 
riage, dig  a  hole  6  in.  deep  under  the  wheel  that  is  to  remain,  in 
order  to  prevent  it  from  sliding. 

To  dismount  a  Piece. 

Take  off  the  cap-squares;  run  up  the  elevating  screw  to  its 
Tvhole  height;  raise  the  trail;  stand  the  piece  upon  its  muzzle  on 
the  ground,  and  withdraw  the  carriage. 

To  mount  a  Piece. 

Put  a  handspike  under  the  piece  a  little  in  rear  of  the  rimbases, 
and  another  under  the  cascable ;  place  2  men  at  the  first  hand- 
spike, 4  at  the  second,  and  2  at  the  handles,  or  (if  the  piece  has 


109 

no  handles)  4  at  each  handspike,  and  raise  the  piece  upon  its 
muzzle ;  bring  up  the  carriage,  raise  the  trail,  and  put  the  piece 
in  its  place ;  put  on  the  cap  squares,  and  lower  the  trail,  relieving 
the  weight  of  the  piece  by  raising  the  rauzzle. 

In  this  manoeuvre  and  the  preceding,  it  may  be  necessary,  with 
the  12-pdr,  and  larger  calibres,  to  make  a  hole  in  the  ground  for 
the  mu/.zle. 

When  a  piece  is  upset,  separate  it  from  its  carriage  and  re- 
mount it  as  above. 

To  transport  a  Piece  hy  means  of  the  Limber. 

Detach  the  prolonge ;  place  the  limber  over  the  piece  so  that 
the  pintle  hook  shall  be  over  the  handles  (or  over  the  rear  of  the 
trunnions),  with  the  breech  toward  the  pole ;  raise  the  pole,  and 
elevate  the  muzzle  of  the  piece ;  lash  the  piece  to  the  pintle  hook, 
with  the  prolonge,  by  passing  the  ring  of  the  prolonge  twice 
through  the  handles  (or  round  the  piece  in  rear  of  the  trunnions), 
and  over  the  pintle  book;  with  the  loose  end  of  the  prolonge  lash 
the  cascable  to  the  fork  of  the  limber. 

Or,  the  gun  may  be  placed  on  blocks  at  the  proper  height,  and 
then  lashed  to  the  limber  as  before. 

Siege  Artillery. 

To  change  a  Piece  from  the  Trunnion  Holes  to  the   Travelling 
Position. 

Required:  11  men — 6  handspikes — 1  gun  roller — 1  small  half 
roller — 1  purchase  block — 2  gun  chocks — 4  roller  chocks — 6  wheel 
chocks — 1  trace  rope. 

The  carriage  must  be  limbered  up,  or  the  trail  raised  upon  3 
blocks  and  a  half  block. 

Chock  the  wheels,  depress  the  muzzle;  remove  the  elevating 
screw,  and  place  a  roller  under  the  reinforce. 

Lift  the  muzzle,  pushing  the  {tiece  back,  hauling  at  the  same 
tiu»e  on  the  trace  rope  attached  to  the  knob  of  the  cascable,  until 
the  trunnions  come  over  their  position.  Remove  the  roller,  and 
lower  the  breech  on  the  bolster. 


no 


To  change  a  Piece  from   its   Travelling    Position  to  the   Trun- 
nion Holes. 

The  carriag-e  being  limbered  up,  or  the  trail  resting  on  4 
blocks  and  1  half  block. 

Place  a  roller  under  the  reinforce  as  near  as  possible  to  the 
rimbases. 

Raise  the  chase,  and  let  the  gun  run  forward  to  its  position, 
checking  it  with  the  trace  rope  attached  to  the  knob  of  the  cas- 
cable.  As  soon  as  the  trunnions  pass  over  the  chin  bolts,  depress 
the  muzzle,  and  the  trunnions  drop  into  th'eir  holes. 

Remove  the  roller  and  put  in  the  elevating  screw. 

For  Mechanical  Manoeuvres  of  all  classes  of  guns  and  howitzers, 
see  Ord.  Manual,  2d  ed.,  chap.  XII,  and  Manual  of  Heavy  Ar- 
tillery. 

ARTILLERY  PRACTICE. 

The  plan  of  tins  work  does  not  include  the  details  relative  to 
the  service  of  artillery ;  but,  in  the  absence  of  more  full  and  ac- 
curate tables  of  firing,  it  is  thought  useful  to  give  here  the  mean 
results  of  such  trials  of  the  ranges  of  our  ordnance  as  have  been 
made  from  time  to  time  by  the  ordnance  department,  together 
with  some  other  practical  information  derived  from  authentic 
sources. 

Drift  of  Rifle  Projectiles. 

Experiments  show  that  elongated  balls,  when  fired  from  an  arm 
that  is  rijled,  deviate  to  the  right  or  left,  according  as  the  projec- 
tile is  made  by  the  grooves  to  revolve  to  the  right  or  left.  The 
deviation  is  always  in  the  direction  of  the  revolution  of  the  pro- 
jectile. In  nearly  all  arms  the  twist  of  the  grooves  causes  the 
projectile  to  revolve  to  the  right. 

In  the  Enfield  rifle  this  drift  is  about  10  feet  in  870  yards. 

The  following  table  gives  the  drift  at  difl;erent  distances,  for  the 
French  rifle  (model  1842)  with  a  twist  of  4.37  feet,  and  a  bullet 
with  a  single  groove  : 


Ill 


Distance  in  yds. 

218 

328 

437 

546 

656 

765 

874 

984 

1093 

1312 

1421 

Drift  in  ft.  <fcin. 

.5" 

I'.l" 

1'.9" 

2'.0" 

4'.9" 

7'.  6" 

11'.  6" 

16'.  1" 

21'.  0" 

88'.4" 

50'.6" 

The  mean  drift  of  40  shots  fired  from  two  rifle  muskets  (C.  S. 
model),  at  a  distance  of  1,150  yards  in  a  perfectly  calm  day,  was 
about  18  feet ;  not  a  single  shot  deviated  to  the  left. 

Cause  of  drift. — This  irregular  deviation  results  from  the  com- 
bined action  of  the  tico  rotary  motions  to  which  the  projectile  is 
subject;  the  motion  of  rotation  around  its  axis  caused  by  the 
grooves  of  the  rifle,  and  the  slight  tendency  to  rotate  around  an 
axis  perpendicular  to  the  first. 

This  last  tendency  to  rotate  is  caused  by  the  fact,  that  as  the 
projectile  moves,  it  does  not  always  retain  its  axis  tangential  to 
the  trajectory,  and  in  this  inclined  position  the  resultant  of  the 
resistances  of  the  air  passes  above  the  centre  of  gravity  of  the 
projectile,  thus  producing  a  slight  rotation  of  the  point  of  the 
projectile  upwards.  The  effect  of  these  two  motions  of  rotation 
is  to  turn  the  point  to  the  right,  and  thus  produce  the  deviation 
observed.  The  forces  thus  acting  upon  the  projectile  are  similar 
to  those  which  act  upon  the  well  known  philosophical  instrument 
called  the  gyroscope. 

It  is  probably  possible  to  remove  the  cause  of  drift,  by  con- 
structing the  projectile  so  that  the  resultant  of  the  resistances  of 
the  air  shall  pass  through  its  centre  of  gravity. 

Deviations  of  the  Smooth-bored  Cannon. 

These  deviations,  which  no  accuracy  of  aim  can  overcome,  are 
due  to  two  causes  :  (1),  windage  ;  (2),  the  eccentricity  of  the  cen- 
tre of  gravity  of  the  ball  or  shell.  The  deviation  is  generally  the 
resultant  of  the  two  causes.  Experiments  made  in  France  have 
demonstrated  that  the  deviation  arising  from  these  two  causes, 
though  not  alw.ays,  is  generally  an  elevation.  The  average  devia- 
tion amounted  to  3i  minutes  in  guns  and  lOi  minutes  in  howitzers, 
one-fourth  of  the  shot  from  the  guns  having  an  elevation  of  more 


112 


than  8i  minutes,  or  a  depression  below  the  axis  of  lA  minute. 
In  howitzers  one-fourth  had  an  elevation  of  more  tlian  15i  mi- 
nutes, and  one- fourth  5h  minutes  above  the  axis,  the  remaining 
shots  passing  within  these  limits.  In  a  horizontal  direction  half 
of  the  shots  deviated  from  the  axis  more  than  4h  minutes  to  the 
right  or  left. 

In  1850,  experiments  in  France  with  8  and  12-pounder8,  gave 
the  following  results  against  a  target  30  x  3  metres,  representing  a 
troop  of  cavalry : 


Distance  in  metres,      .... 

500 

600 

700 

800 

900 

Per  ct.  of  12-pdr.  hits,     .... 

G4 

54 

43 

37 

32 

Per  ct.  of  8-pdr.  hitu,     .... 

67 

44 

40 

28 

28 

This  table  shows  the  superiority  of  a  12-pdr.  over  a  6  pdr.  for 
all  distances  over  550  yards. 

Breaching  with  Kifle  Cannon. 

The  breaching  power  of  rifle  cannon  is  much  greater  than  that 
of  the  ordinary  smooth  bored  siege  cannon.  This  has  been  shown 
by  an  experiment  lately  made  in  England  with  Armstrong  guns 
throwing  projectiles  of  40,  80  and  100  lbs.  weight. 

The  subject  of  this  experiment  was  a  tower  30  feet  high  and  48 
feet  diameter.  The  walls  were  from  7  feet  3  inches  to  10  feet 
thick,  of  solid  brick  masonry  of  good  quality.  The  distance  was 
1,032  yards,  more  than  twenty  times  the  usual  breaching  distance. 

The  80  pound  shot  passed  completely  through  the  masonry  (7 
feet  3  inches),  and  the  40  pound  shot  and  100  pound  percussion 
shells  lodged  in  the  brick  work,  at  a  depth  of  five  feet.  After 
firing  170  projectiles,  a  small  portion  of  which  were  loaded  shells, 
the  entire  land  side  of  the  tower  w^as  thrown  down. 

The  superior  breaching  power  of  rifle  projectiles  depends  not 
only  on  penetration,  but  on  great  accuracy  of  flight,  whereby  they 
can  be  quickly  concentrated  on  any  desired  point. 


113 


Breech  Sights. 

To  determine  the  height  of  the  breech  sight  for  different  angles 
of  elevation. — First  measuvc  carefully  tlie  circumference  of  the 
swell  of  the  muzzle  and  divide  it  by  3.1416.  The  quotient  will 
be  the  exterior  diameter  of  the  muzzle.  In  the  same  manner  de- 
termine the  diameter  of  the  base  ring-.  Half  the  difference  be- 
tween these  diameters  will  be  the  dispart  oi  the  gun.  This  de- 
termines the  height  of  the  muzzle  sight  reijuired  to  make  the  line 
of  sight  parallel  to  the  axis  of  the  bore. 

Now  measure  carefully  the  exact  length  of  the  gun  from  the 
swell  of  the  muzzle,  or  centre  of  the  muzzle  sight,  to  the  rear  of 
the  base  ring.  This  distance  multiplied  by  the  natural  tangent 
of  1°,  2°,  3°,  &c.  (taken  from  the  lable  of  tangents)  will  give  the 
height  of  the  breech  sight,  necessary  to  elevate  the  gun  1°,  2°,  3^, 
&c.  When  there  is  no  muzzle  sight  the  dispart  must  be  sub- 
tracted from  the  height  of  the  breech  sight  thus  calculated. 

Breech  sights,  in  an  emergency,  mny  be  made,  in  the  field,  of 
pasteboard  or  thin  wood,  to  answer  a  very  good  purpose. 

Ranges. 

The  range  of  a  shot  or  shell  is  the  first  graze  of  the  ball  on 
horizontal  ground,  the  piece  being  mounted  on  its  appropriate 
carriage. 

The  range  of  a  spherical  case  shot  is  the  distance  at  which  the 
ehot  bursts  near  the  ground,  in  the  time  given  ;  thus  showing  the 
elevation  and  the  length  of  fuze  required  for  certain  distances. 


i 


LI4 


- 

t-' 

a 
o 

Kind  of  Ordnance. 

> 

> 

to 

Remarks. 

(In 

pq 

W 

« 

Lbs. 

o     / 

Yds. 

6-pdr.  field  gun. 

1.25 

Shot. 

0 
1 
o 

318 
674 
867 

3 

1138 

4 

1256 

5 

1523 

• 

1.25 

Sph.  case 

1    0 

600 

Time,  2    seconds. 

shoe. 

1  45 

700 

"       2^        " 

" 

2    0 

800 

.<       3 

" 

2  45 

900 

"       3i        " 

" 

3    0 

1000 

"       3i        " 

" 

3  15 

1100 

4          « 

4 

1200 

..       5 

\2-pdr.  field  gun,  model  1841. 

2.5 

Shot. 

0 

1 
1  30 

347 

662 
785 

115 


Ranges — Contiuued. 


d 

Kind  of  Ordnance. 

.2 

6 

Remarks. 

^ 

^ 

> 

a 

o 

c3 

c3 

^ 

n 

W 

« 

Lbs. 

o     / 

Yds. 

12-pdr.  field  gu7i,  model  1841. 

2.5 

Shot. 

o 

909 

Continued. 

;; 

3 
4 
5 

1269 
1455 
1663 

2.5 

Sph.  case. 

1 

600 

Time,  If  seconds. 

" 

1  45 

700 

"      2i        " 

" 

2 

800 

"      2i        " 

" 

2  15 

900 

"      3 

" 

2  30 

1000 

"      3i        " 

" 

3 

1100 

"      4 

" 

3  30 

1200 

"      4i        " 

12-pdr.  field  gun,  Napoleon. 

2.5 

Sliot. 

0 
1 
2 

3 

4 
5 

325 

620 

875 

1200 

1320 

1680 

2.5 

Sph.  case 

0  30 

300 

Time,  1    second. 

shot. 

1  0 

575 

"      If  seconds. 

" 

1  30 

633 

"      2^ 

• 

" 

2  0 

730 

"      3          " 

" 

3  0 

960 

"      4 

" 

3  30 

1080 

"      4i 

" 

3  45 

1135 

u      5 

2.0 

Shell. 

0 

300 

"      Of        " 

" 

0  30 

425 

"      li        " 

" 

1 

616 

"      If 

" 

1  30 

700 

"      2i 

" 

2  0 

787 

"      2f        " 

" 

2  30 

925 

"      3i        " 

" 

3  0 

1080 

"      4 

" 

3  45 

1300 

"      5 

\2pdr.  field  howitzer. 

1. 

Shell. 

0 
1 
2 

3 

4 
5 

195 
539 
640 
847 
975 
1072 

0.75 

Sph.  case. 

2  15 

.S5 

Time,  2  geconds. 

116 


Ranges — Continued. 


d 

! 

KO'D  OF  ORDNANCE. 

"S 

rt 

i 

Remarks. 

^ 

^• 

a 

o    ■ 

"a 

« 

Oi 

P 

M 

i 

Lbs. 

0     / 

Yds. 

l2-pdr.  field  knwitzer. 

0.75 

Sph.  case. 

3  15 

7)5 

,  Time,  3  seconds. 

Ooiitimied. 

3  45 

10.50 

1        "       4         •• 

12-pdr.  mountain  howitzer. 

0.5 

Shell. 

0 

1 
2 

170 
300 
392 

" 

2  30 

500 

Time,  2  seconds. 

" 

3 

6:i7 

" 

4 

785 

"      3 

" 

5 

1005 

0.5 

Sph.  case. 

0 

1.50 

2  80 

450 

Time,  2  seconds. 

" 

3 

.'SOO 

" 

4 

700 

"      2i        " 

" 

4  30 

800 

"      3 

2i-pdr.  field  hoicitzer. 

2. 

Sliell. 

0 
1 

.3 

4 
5 

295 

5;6 

■7V3 
97(1 
1272 
1322 

2.5 

Sph.  case. 

1  30 

600 

Time,  2    seconds. 

2  0 

700 

"      2V 

' 

" 

2  30 

800 

"      31- 

" 

2  45 

IIOO 

«      3.V        " 

" 

:j  J  5 

1000 

"      4 

" 

3  45 

1100 

"       4,V         " 

" 

3  50 

1200 

1          u         4^ 

22-pdr.  field  howitzer. 

2.5 

Shell. 

0 
1 

.3 
4 
5 

2!  10 
5:h 
77!) 
102!) 
1203 
1504 

3.25 

Sph.  case. 

1  30 

600 

Time,  2    seconds. 

2  0 

700 

"      2^        " 

2  15 

800 

"       3 

2  45 

900 

"      3^        " 

3  0 

1000 

"      3i        " 

3  35 

1100 

"      4i        " 

; 

3  45 

1200 

"      4i        " 

117 


Ranges — Continued. 


o 

KIN'D  OF  OUDNANCE. 

.2 

?; 

Remarks. 

^ 

';3 

« 

ft, 

;2 

U 

tf 

»Lb9. 

o    / 

Yds. 

1%-pdr.   siege  and  garrison 

4..') 

Shot. 

1 

641 

gun. 

" 

2 

9.50 

On  barbette  carriage. 

;; 

3 

4 
5 

12.56 
1450  ! 
1592  1 

2\pdr.    siege  and   garrison 

6. 

Shot. 

0 

412 

gun. 

1 

642 

On  Eiege  carriage. 

1  30 

2 

3 

^-'53 
1147 
1417 

" 

4 

]f)66 

5 

1901 

32-prfr.  sea  coast  gun. 

6. 

Shot. 

1  45 

900 

On  barbette  carriage. 

a. 

;; 

1 

1  30 
1  35 
o 

3 

4 
5 

713 
800 
900 
1)00 
1433 
1684 
1922 

42-pdr.  sea  coast  gun. 

10.5 

Shot. 

1 

775 

On  barbette  cairiage. 

" 

2 
3 
4 
5 

1010 
1300 
1600 
1H55 

S-inch  siege  hnwitier. 

4. 

Shell, 

0 

251 

On  siege  carriage. 

45  lb3. 

1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
12  30 

435 
618 
720 
992 
1241 
2280 

Q-inch  sea  coast  howitzer. 

4. 

Shell, 

1 

405 

Ou  barbette  carriage. 

45  lbs. 

3 

4 
5 

6.52 
875 
1110 
1300 

6. 

" 

1 
2 

572 

828 

lis 


Ranges — Continued. 


a 

Kind  of  Ordnance. 

V 

^" 

.2 
1 

Remarks. 

o 

c3 

33 

Ph 

W 

W 

K 

Lbs. 

0     / 

Yds. 

B-inch  sea  coast  howitzer. 

6. 

Shell, 

3 

947 

On  barbette  carriage. 

45  lbs. 

4 

116S 

Continued. 

" 

5 

14(;3 

8. 

I 

1 

3 

4 
5 

(i4G 

909 

1190 

1532 

1800 

10-inch  sea  coast  howitzer. 

12. 

Shell, 

1 

580 

On  barbette  carriage. 

90  lbs. 

o 

891 

Time,  3  seconds. 

" 

3 

1185 

"      4 

" 

3  30 

1300 

" 

4 

1426 

"      5i      " 

" 

5 

KiOO 

"       G        " 

8-inc/t  columhiad.* 

10. 

Shell, 

1 

G81 

Time,   1.88  seconds. 

5U  lbs. 

o 
3 

1108 
1400 

"        3.58        " 
4.30 

" 

4 

1649 

5.41 

" 

5 

1733 

6.25 

" 

G 

1994 

7.5G 

" 

7 

2061 

7.96 

" 

8 

2250 

9.12 

" 

9 

2454 

"      10.16 

" 

10 

26G4 

"      10.91        " 

" 

11 

2718 

"      11.3 

" 

12 

2908 

"      13. 

" 

13 

3060 

"      14.08 

" 

14 

3123 

"      14.25 

" 

15 

3138 

"      16. 

" 

20 

3330 

"      18.40 

" 

25 

3474 

"      20. 

" 

30 

3873 

"      25. 

Shot. 

5 

1697 

"        6.20        " 

" 

15 

3224 

"      14.19 

lO-inch  columhiad.* 

15. 

Shell, 

3 

1068 

Time,  3.20  seconds. 

100  lbs. 

5 

1525 

5.64 

" 

8 

2238 

8.10 

LO 

2720 

"      10.98 

" 

2 

2847 

"      11.73 

"             i 

20 

3842 

"      18.92 

*  Axis  of  gun  G  feet  above  the  horizontal  plane. 


119 


Ranges— Contmned. 

Kind  of  Ordnance. 

i 

1 
1 

§> 

REMARKS. 

& 

d 

> 

o 

c3 

.2 

(^ 

PQ 

» 

Ph 

Lbs. 

Shell, 

0     / 

Yds. 

lO-in.  columbiad — Contin'd. 

15. 

lOO  lbs. 

30 

4836 

Time,  27.50  seconds. 

Shot, 

15 

3281 

"      14.32      " 

125  lbs. 

30     , 

5163 

"      27.08      " 

18. 

" 

0 

394 

Axis  of  gun  16  feet 

" 

1 

752 

above  the  water. 

<' 

2 

1002 

«' 

3 

1230 

" 

4 

1570 

u 

5 

1814 

" 

6 

2037 

Shot  ceased  to  rico- 

•' 

8 

2519 

chet  on  water. 

" 

10 

2777 

" 

15 

3525 

" 

20 

4020 

" 

25 

4304 

" 

30 

4761 

'< 

35 

5433 

20. 

" 

39  15 

5654 

12. 

Shell, 

1 

800 

100  lbs. 

2 
3 
4 
5 

1012 
1184 
1443 
1604 

18. 

I 

0 

1 
2 
3 

448 
747 
1100 
1239 

" 

4 

1611 

" 

5 

1865 

" 

6 

2209 

" 

8 

2489 

«' 

10 

2848 

<' 

15 

3200 

" 

20 

3885 

" 

25 

4150 

'< 

30 

4651 

'• 

35 

4828 

Time  of  flight,  35  s. 

15-m.  columbiad. 

40. 

Shell, 

0 

273 

3021b3. 

1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
G 

484 
812 
11.36 
1310 
1518 
1760 
1948 

315  lbs. 

8 

2194 

120 


Ranges — Continued. 


s 

h 

.2 

KlXD  OF  ORDNAXCE. 

-s 

& 

„• 

"5 

> 

1 

REMARKS. 

o 

"a 

5 

(u 

M 

w 

- 

Lbs. 

Shell. 

0 

Yds. 

15-tre.  columbiad — Contin'd. 

40. 

3151b9. 

9 

2?36      Ti 

tne,   8  87  8econd8, 

10 

2425 

'      10  00 

' 

" 

12 

iie3l 

'      12  07 

" 

15 

3078 

'      13  72 

" 

20 

3t<:i8 

'      17  82 

" 

25 

4.=.28 

'      22  03 

" 

28 

4821 

'      24  18 

" 

30 

5018 

'      26.71        " 

45. 

" 

25 

4595    . 

'      23  20 

50. 

" 

25 

41,80 

'      23  29 

Shell. 

13  ire  sea  coast  mortar. 

20. 

200  lbs. 

45 

4325 

Shell. 

10-in.  sea  coast  mortar. 

10. 

98  lbs. 

45 

4250       Tl 

me,  36  seconds. 

10- in.  siege  mortar. 

1. 

Shell, 

45 

300       Ti 

me,    6  5  seconds. 

15 

90  lbs. 

45 

700 

"      12 

2. 

45 

1000 

"      14 

2.5 

" 

45 

13U0 

"      16 

3. 

" 

45 

KiOO 

"       18 

35 

" 

45 

1800 

"      19 

4. 

" 

45 

2100 

•'      21 

Lb.  oz 

6-in.  siege  mortar. 

0  ]0 

Shell, 

45 

500      Tl 

me,  10   seconda. 

13 

4(i  lbs. 

45 

COO 

"      11 

1 

45 

750 

"       12.^        " 

1    2 

" 

45 

900 

"       13          " 

1    3 

" 

45 

lOt'O 

"       13.V 

1     4 

" 

45 

1  1 00 

"       14 

1     G 

" 

45 

1200 

"       14}        " 

2i-pdr.  coehurn  mortar. 

Oz. 

o 

Yds. 

0.5 

Shell, 

45 

25 

1. 

17  U)9. 

45 

68 

1.5 

45 

104 

1.75 

" 

45 

143 

2. 

" 

45 

l(i5 

2  75 

" 

45 

260 

4. 

" 

45 

422 

R. 

" 

45 

900 

8. 

45 

1200 

1 — 

121 


'^ 


•^    I 


QO 


^ 


CO 

I 
1 

1 

•am>j  31W18  -pd-ci 

J3 

^      ^ 

•9ff!H  9*«*8  'Pd-f- 

^ 
J 

n 

*-8ff!a  ssBja  naaSiqea 

5 

OQ 

•Sujpwoi  'a  q^JOM^iqAi 

1 

"•  s 

•agia  18»»S  0S5 

1 

2I  •«. 

,.-UOJ[aBa;  -pd-os 

"             1 

S 

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3 

"■       ^ 

•^lajiBie:  -pd-Ei 

3 

3       ffj 

^•a^ia  saraBf  08"8 

1-5 

^       0 

•ema  ai«iunoH  S55 

1^ 

s  ^• 

•ama  qoai-c 

^ 

s 

^•;;ojaBd:  -pd-OT 

CO 

•ayja  eSaig  59^ 

5 
tJ 

CO 

,.-jpd-oc  'UOJjBd  01-5-^ 

1 

0      ir^ 

•(pinqiuiiioo)  agia  ss'S 

1^ 

i2 

•(jpd-sc)  a«ia  0^-9 

a 

10 

(pGiqranioo)  ama  o^'9 

5 

ci    .-; 

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^ 
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1  . 

■^Vm  tpni-^ 

LO 

CO 

i  1 

1  -s 
s  s 

It 

^    0. 

122 


Elevation,  Ranges,  and  Times  of  Flight  of  W-pdr.  Parrott  Gun, 


ELEVATION. 

TIME. 

RANGE. 

REMARKS, 

Deg.      Min. 

Seconds. 

Yards. 

0            00 

i 

300 

"NVith  long  muzzle  sight  giving 

ine  of  sight 

1 

1 

4.50 

jiaralli-l  lo   iixis,    aim  direct 

up   to   300 

o 

2 

900 

yards. 

3 

3 

1300 

4 

4V 

1(500 

4            30 

5 

17(i0 

5 

() 

19.50 

5            30 

6V 

2-JOO 

6 

7 

2300 

7 

8} 

2600 

10 

10} 

3000 

]2 

12} 

3600 

15 

16 

4100 

20 

m 

.5000 

25 

23V 

5600 

30 

27} 

5900 

35 

31} 

6200 

The  range  of  3-inch  rifle  gun,  ^vitli  7,  or  11,  or  13  grooves,  docs 
not  vary  materially  from  thi;?,  up  to  2,300  yards — G"^  elevation 
giving  2,250  yards. 


123 


^t 

1 

W  I— i 

u 

^5  —• 

Z; 

H  ;- 

>   c3 

H 

o^- 

_ 

s 

:s 

1 

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< 

P 

:s 

s 

2 

< 

g^ 

s 

U 

o 

^     T 

H 

S 

o 

0'3 

as 

O  t-i  3~,  X'  X;  OC  05  O  —  Tj<  t^  1-i  1.0  .-<  00  cc  irr  CD  oo 

rH  i'    ■  --J  rH  ci  (N  CO  ri  -"li  •^'  LT  »ri  «c>  i>  i^;  00  od 


o  u^  c  -^  3-.  TT  o:  o  o  ir:  o  LT  .—  CO  sj  X  n  ~  n 
OTfc:-<rx:^t^CJt^i-itoooci-^xrtt-f,< 

l"     ?■      ■      ■      ■  -i  r-"'  W  Ot  CO  CO  ■>*<  Tji  Tf  lO  LO  -J  C    - 


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c::otoo-,ico  —  xxc^O005OT5.CJOoxl- 
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7  I 


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f-H  ci  ri  CO  ^  »d  >o  co'  »-^  1-'  x'  ci  ai  o 


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24 


§1 


II 


.  CO  00  ^  o  (N  00  c  i.o  f-  i.o  c»  « 

iii-ln-lCJCJC»C<OOi-lr-<r-<0 


Ir-lr-icMCJCidJO^r-irHr-lrH 


r--  r-H  C<  C»  <N  (71  O  . 


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j:5i-HC^cor:««i-i^ciCJr-ii-i 


^"  in  f^  O  O  O  -^  C<  C^.  C^  «^  C<  C 

5  C<  CJ  rr  TT  '3<  TJ-  -I  ^  ffl  CJ  C<  , 


c  LO  ro  X'  00  QL  a;  '3<  Ci  2^  cj  ^  j; 


'X>  c^  -r  ^  I-  n"  o  «s  .-I  lo  lo  oi 


^  _^  Cj  ^  ~j  rH  X  OJ  00  C:  CO  CJ 

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■  C?  C<  O  O  — i  -f  '.':  J--  O  O  J;;  LO 


o  o  -  5-  .7:  r-  : 
,  01  ai  "SI  5J  r^  n  I 


CO  c'j  cfj  -r  c'(  c'<  ?:'(  c'(  -f"  c'<  ^  oo 


.2  «• 

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to  ^ 


BJ'S 

^  -  a 
■^  teg 

«P 

HI 


o  t^. 


«^ 


U  *  o 


126 


Initial   Velocities  of  Cannon  Balls. 

The  initial  velocity  of  a  cannon  ball  is  about  1,500  feet  per  se- 
cond. It  varies  from  1,400  feet  to  1,800  feet,  depending  on  the 
weight  of  the  charge  and  the  strength  of  the  powder.  The  initial 
velocity  of  shells  and  spherical  case  is  less,  varying  from  1,050  to 
1,400,  the  charge  of  powder  being  less. 

Initial   Velocities  of  Balls  fired  from  Small  Arms. 


Kind  of  Arms. 


Kifle  musket, 
Rifle,  1855, 
Altered  inixsket,     - 
Pistol  carbine  (U.  S.), 
Musket,  1841, 


Charge. 

Weight  of 
l.all. 

Initial 
velocity. 

Grains. 

Grains. 

Feet. 

60 

510 

963 

60 

510 

914 

70 

740 

879 

40 

468 

603 

110 

412 

1500 

Elongated  ball. 


Round  ball. 


Loss  of  the  Velocity  by  the  Windage  of  the  Ball. 

The  loss  of  velocity  by  a  windage  of  1-40  diameter  varies  from 
8  to  12  per  ct.  The  loss  is  directly  as  the  windage  and  inversely 
as  the  bore. 

For  Penetration  of  Shot  and  Shells  in  Masonry,  Brick,  8fc.,  see 
Ord.  Manual,  2d  ed.,  p.  396-401. 

Penetration  in  Fascines,    Wool,  8fc. 

At  the  distance  of  24  yards,  a  musket  round  ball  penetrates  20 
inches  into  a  gabion  stuffed  with  sap  fagots ;  the  ball  from  a  wall 
piece,  23.63  inches.  The  resistance  of  fascines  decreases  very 
rapidly  by  the  twigs  being  broken  or  separated  by  the  balls. 

A  rolling  gabion,  stuffed  with  fascines,  is  proof  against  the  ball 
of  a  wall  piece  at  15  yards ;  at  the  distance  of  200  yards,  and 
even  more,  it  is  pierced  through  by  cannon  balls  of  the  smallest 
calibre. 

The  penetration  of  balls  in  wool  is  more  than  double  that  in 
compact  earth,  even  when  the  wool  is  contained  in  close,  well 


12fi 


quilted  mattresses  pressed  between  hurdles.  At  40  yards,  a  mus- 
ket ball  (round)  penetrates  more  than  40  inches  into  woollen  mat- 
tresses thus  placed  together. 

It  has  been  ascertained  by  experiment  that  a  musket  round  ball, 
having  a  velocity  of  362  feet,  at  the  moment  of  impact,  will  just 
pass  through  a  white  pine  board  1  inch  thick ;  and  that,  with  the 
same  velocity,  the  ball  has  sufficient  force  to  shatter  the  leg  bone 
of  an  ox  covered  with  one  thickness  of  stout  harness  leather.  A 
musket  ball  moving  with  this  velocity  would,  therefore,  inflict  a 
wound  which  would  disable  a  man  or  beast;  or  a  spherical  case 
shot  having  this  velocity  at  the  moment  of  bursting  would  be 
eflPective  against  troops  in  its  immediate  vicinity. 

A  musket  ball  with  an  initial  velocity,  of  583  feet  will  pass 
through  one  inch  white  pine  board  at  100  yards  :  hence  a  spheri- 
cal case  shot,  moving  with  that  velocity  at  the  moment  of  burst- 
ing, would  be  effective  at  100  yards  distant  from  the  place  of 
bursting.  The  remaining  velocity  at  100  yards  as  computed,  is 
394  feet. 

Penetration  of  Small  Arms  in   White  Pine  seasoned. 


"Wkight  of 
Charge. 

it 

Penetration. 

Kind  of  Arm. 

a 

Bull. 

30 

200 

600 

1000 

Q 

yds. 

yds. 

yds. 

yds. 

Gv». 

Grs. 

In. 

In. 

In. 

In. 

In. 

Rifle  musket, 

500 

_ 

.5775 

_ 

11.      1    6.3.3 

3.25 

Altered  miisket, 

7:30 

60 

.(;85 

_ 

10.5 

6  33 

3.5 

Harper'w  Ferry  rifle, 

500 

70 

.5775 

_ 

9.33 

5.6b 

3.0 

PiHtol  carbine. 

4r)0 

40 

.5775 

_ 

5.75 

3.0* 

Sharp's  carliine, 

4(;:] 

fiO 

.55 

7.27 

Burusidc'a      "           .             .             - 

:jjo 

55 

.55 

G.15 

At  500  yards. 


127 

CHAP.  X. 
MISCELLANEOUS  INFORMATION. 

Recoil  of  Gun. 

The  recoil  of  a  gun  depends  on  its  weight,  the  amount  of  pow- 
der used  and  the  weight  of  the  projectile.  In  a  light  gun  the 
recoil  is  considerable.  It  is  very  great  in  the  old  12-pdr.  car- 
rouades.  When  the  axis  of  the  trunnions  is  below  the  axis  of  the 
piece,  the  effect  of  the  reaction  of  the  gas  against  the  breech  is  to 
increase  the  pressure  of  the  trail  against  the  ground,  and  thereby 
diminish  the  distance  of  recoil.  When  the  axis  of  the  trunnions 
is  above  the  axis  of  the  bore,  the  ej^ect  is  to  diminish  the  pressure 
on  the  trail  when  the- gun  is  fired;  and  hence  the  distance  of  re- 
coil is  augmented.  In  the  C.  S.  service  the  axis  of  the  trunnions 
is  in  the  exact  plane  of  the  axis  of  the  bore. 

Effect  of  preventing  Recoil. 

When  the  powder  is  changed  into  gas,  by  its  explosive  force,  it 
projects  the  ball  forward  and  the  gun  backward,  and  thus  increases 
the  space  occupied  by  the  gas.  If  the  gun  is  checked  in  its  back- 
ward movement  by  preventing  the  recoil,  this  space  is  by  so  much 
diminished,  and  the  force  to  burst  the  guil  consequently  increased. 

Hence,  there  is  always  danger  of  bursting  heavy  siege  guns, 
when  fired  at  large  angles  of  elevation,  as  thereby  the  recoilis 
diminished,  the  pressure  of  the  gun  on  the  carriage  being  more 
nearly  vertical.  At  the  siege  of  Sevastopol  the  bursting  of  the 
siege  guns  was  attributed  to  their  being  fired  with  too  great 
elevation. 

Endurance  of  Guns. 

Iron  guns  have  been  known  to  bear  from  1,500  to  3,000  rounds 
with  service  charges,  and  only  require  the  vent  to  be  rehouched. 
At  the  siege  of  Sevastopol  many  heavy  guns  endured  over  3,000 


l'3b 

rounds.  Experience  has  shown  that  the  iengtli  ol"  time  that  a 
piece  has  been  cast,  has  a  very  great  influence  upon  its  enduranee. 
Two  8-inch  columbiads  of  same  form  and  dimensions,  and  cast 
in  the  same  way,  were  tried.  One  of  them  had  been  cast  only  a 
few  days,  and  the  other  six  years  previous.  The  one  tested  a  few 
days  after  casting,  failed  at  the  72d  round.  The  other  sustained 
2,582  rounds  witliout  yielding. 

This  apparent  anomaly  is  explained  by  the  fact,  that  iron,  like 
other  substances,  possesses  the  property  of  accommodating  itself 
to  a  new  and  unnatural  position,  and  of  finally  becoming  stronger 
in  this  position  than  in  the  original  one.  A  new  arrangement 
takes  place  among  the  crystals,  in  accordance  with  the  solicitation 
of  external  forces. 

Influence  of  Exterior  Mouldings  on  the  Strength  op 

Guns. 

As  a  general  rule,  cast  iron  guns  burst  through  the  vent,  that 
being  a  weak  point  for  the  action  of  the  powder.  From  thence 
the  line  of  fracture  passes  along  the  axis  to  the  front  of  the  trun- 
nions, where  it  turns  off  to  the  right  or  left,  or  both,  leaving  the 
rest  of  the  chase  entire.  The  rule  is  universal,  that  the  planes 
of  fracture  follow  the  track,  with  considerable  precision,  of  all 
re-entering  angles  on  the  exterior  of  the  gun.  This  is  not  with- 
out cause.  It  is  a  law  of  physics,  that  crystals  arrange  and  group 
themselves  with  their  principal  axes  in  lines  perpendicular  to  the 
cooling  or  heating  surfaces  of  the  solid.  A  simple  illustration  of 
this  law  is  seen  in  ice  rotten  from  the  heat  it  has  absorbed  from 
the  air  and  water.  The  crystals  are  all  found  to  be  arranged  ver- 
tically, and  are  easily  pushed  through.  This  form  of  crystalliza- 
tion takes  place  in  iron,  cast  to  form  a  gun,  and  planes  of  weak- 
ness occur  just  where  the  crystals,  perpendicular  to  the  different 
surfaces,  join  confusedly  together,  giving  loss  cohesion  to  the 
metal  than  at  any  other  part. 

These  planes  of  weakness  are  in  a  measure  avoided  now,  by 
avoiding  all  unnecessary  mouldings  and  sudden  changes  of  .plane 
on  the  exterior  of  the  gun. 


129 


Bursting  of  Rifle  Cannon. 

When  a  rifle  cannon  is  fired,  the  windage  by  which  a  portion  of 
the  gas  escapes,  is  cut  off  l)y  the  sudden  forcing  of  the  soft  metal 
at  the  base  of  the  projectile,  into  the  grooves  of  the  rifle.  The 
gas,  thus  momentarily  confined,  possesses  more  tension  than  in  a 
smooth  bore ;  and  hence  a  greater  power  to  burst  the  cannon. 
This  diflficulty  is  obviated  by  making  rifle  cannon  very  heavy  in 
the  breech,  or  better,  by  reinforcing  the  breech  with  a  heavy 
wrought  iron  band,  as  in  the  Parrott  guns.  Too  much  care  can- 
not be  used  in  sending  the  projectile  home  against  the  charge  in 
rifle  cannon.  If  suflicient  space  intervenes  between  the  projectile 
and  the  powder,  the  whole  of  the  powder  is  converted  into  gas  of 
pow^erful  tension,  before  the  projectile  moves — that  is,  before  its 
inertia  is  overcome.  The  consequence  is,  that  being  thus  sud- 
denly checked,  it  reacts,  and  exerts  a  powerful  strain  upon  the  gun. 

The  bursting  of  some  of  the  large  rifle  cannon  in  the  C.  S.  ser- 
vice, is  supposed  to  be  due  to  the  stripping  off  part  of  the  soft 
metal  from  the  base  of  the  projectile,  and  thus  wedging  it  fast  in 
the  bore.  Accidents  of  this  character  are  now  avoided  by  attach- 
ing to  the  base  of  the  ball  a  copper  saucer,  which  destroys  wind- 
age, and  imparts  to  it,  by  taking  the  grooves,  the  desired  rotary 
motion. 

Pressure  of  Guxpow^der  per  square  inch. 

[From  Capt.  Rodman's  Experiments.] 

The  pressure  on  a  42-pouuder  gun,  at  the  bottom  of  the  bore, 
when  fired  with  10  lbs.  of  powder  and  a  solid  shot  weighing  43 
pounds,  is  44,535  pounds. 

8  lbs.  of  powder,  of  a  grain  .1  inch  diameter,  with  the  same 
gun  and  shot,  gave  a  pressure  of  51,800  lbs. 

8  lbs.  of  powder,  of  a  grain  .4  inch  diameter,  with  the  same 
gun  and  shot,  gave  a  pressure  of  31,900  lbs. 

12.67  lbs.  of  powder,  of  a  grain  .6  inch  diameter,  and  a  solid 
shot  weighing  186.3  lbs.,  fired  from  a  11  inch  gun,  gave  a  pressure 
of  21,370  lbs. 

6* 


180 

The  same  weight  of  .3  in.  diameter,  gave  a  preesure  of  35,330  lbs. 

The  same  weight  of  .3  inch  diameter,  of  different  powder,  gave 
a  pressure  of  65,920  lbs. 

Half  the  weight  of  powder  of  the  ordinarj^  charge,  with  double 
the  weight  of  shot,  gave  the  same  pressure  as  the  ordinary  charge. 

1  lb.  of  powder,  burned  in  a  space  equal  to  twice  that  occupied 
by  the  powder,  gave  a  pressure  of  42,500  lbs. 

2  lbs.  burned  in  the  space  occupied  by  it,  gave  a  pressure  of 
133,590  lbs. 

1  lb.  burned  in  the  space  occupied  by  it,  .1  inch  grain,  gave  a 
pressure  of  185,000  lbs. 

The  actual  pressures  are  probably  greater  than  those  above 
given. 

Resistance  of  the  Air. 

AVhen  a  ball  is  projected  from  a  cannon  it  is  acted  on  liy  thr(*e 
forces  :  (1.)  the  impulsive  force  ;  (2.)  the  force  of  gravity ;  (3.)  the 
resistance  of  the  air.  Were  the  last  named  force  entirely  de- 
stroyed, the  trajectory  of  the  ball  would  be  a  portion  of  a  para- 
bola :  but  owing  to  its  existence,  the  path  of  the  ball  is  never  a 
true  parabola,  but  considerably  deflected  from  it,  especially  in  the 
latter  part  of  the  branch. 

The  experiments  of  Robins  established  that  the  resistance  of 
air  for  very  great  velocities,  increased  in  a  far  greater  ratio  than 
that  of  the  square  of  the  velocity.  He  determined  that  the  resis- 
tance of  air  on  the  surface  of  a  bullet,  three-fourths  of  an  inch  in 
diameter,  with  a  velocity  of  1,050  feet,  ainoniited  to  a  pressure  of 
ten  pounds.  By  the  application  of  matliematics  to  the  experi- 
ments of  Robins,  the  following  pressures  are  computed  to  arise 
from  the  resistance  of  the  air.  These  are  necessarily  modified 
slightly  by  the  condition  of  the  air. 

A  6-pdr.  ball,  with  a  velocity  of  Ijeno  feet,  meets  witli  a  resistance  of  9:M  lbs. 

A  12-pdr.  ball,  "  "  «  <•  «  ..  .  g,-,)  ,, 

A  24-p(ir.  ball,  "  "  "  "  "  "  -  6:24  " 

A  32-pdr.  ball,  "  "  "  "  "  "  -  736  " 

A  42-pdr.  ball,  "  "  "  "  "  "  -  882  " 

A  64-pdr.  ball,  "  "  "  "  "  "  -  1,152  " 

An  130-pdr.  ball,     "  "  "  "  "  "  -  1,950  " 


i:3i 

Influence  of  shape  of  hall. — A  spherical  ball  meets  with  less 
resistance  than  one  that  is  flattened,  and  a  conical  pointed  ball 
less  than  a  sphere  of  same  diameter. 

A  paraboloid  meets  with  less  resistance  than  any  other  surface. 
This  form  causes  the  greatest  divergence  of  the  deflected  currents, 
and  consequently  meets  with  the  least  opposition  from  the  resis- 
tance of  the  air.  It  results,  therefore,  that  cylindro-conical  balls 
have  a  more  flattened  trajectory,  and  a  greater  dangerous  space. 

Causes  of  Difference  in  the  Endurance  of  Cannon  when 
CAST  Solid  and  when  cast  Hollow. 

All  field  pieces  and  ordinary  columbiads  in  use  are  cast  solid, 
and  afterwards  bored  out  to  the  proper  calibre.  When  cast  solid, 
the  cooling,  and  consequent  contraction  of  the  metal  begins  on 
the  exterior  and  proceeds  inwards.  The  exterior  is  thus  placed 
under  a  force  of  compression,  while  a  force  of  elongation  acts 
upon  the  interior.  The  more  rapid  the  cooling,  the  greater  will 
be  this  strain  to  burst  the  gun,  beginning  at  the  interior.  It  is 
an  established  law,  that  the  strain  produced  on  any  material  by 
the  action  of  a  central  force,  diminishes  as  the  square  of  the  dis- 
tance from  the  centre  increases.  Now,  when  a  central  force,  as 
exploded  powder,  is  applied  to  a  gun  thus  strained,  the  interior 
being  under  a  force  of  elongation,  and  the  exterior  under  one  of 
compression,  it  develops,  in  a  gun,  one  calibre  in  thickness,  nine 
times  the  strain  on  the  interior  that  it  does  on  the  exterior,  inde- 
pendent of  previous  strain;  so  that,  there  exists  the  permanent 
strain  arising  from  difference  of  contraction,  added  to  that  pro- 
duced by  the  central  force,  to  break  the  interior. 

In  all  ordinary  guns,  it  is  found  that  this  difference  of  contrac- 
tion does  not  injure  the  gun  so  much  as  to  prevent  it  from  being 
serviceable  for  1,000  or  1,500  rounds — and  the  guns  are  cast  solid 
because  the  method  is  cheaper  and  simpler.  This  permanent 
strain  arising  from  difference  of  contraction,  would  be  so  great  in 
very  large  guns,  as  to  seriously  injure  them,  and  prevent  their 
use  were  tliey  cast  solid — consequently  the  15-inch  columbiads  are 
cast  hollow,  and  cooled  from  the  interior,  by  allowing  water  to 


132 


flow  through  a  pipe  passed  through  the  centre  of  the  core,  aud  at 
the  same  time  keeping  the  exterior  heated.  The  consoquence  is, 
that  contraction  begins  on  the  interior  and  proceeds  outward,  pro- 
ducing a  force  of  compression  in  the  interior,  and  one  of  exten- 
sion in  the  exterior,  thus  reversing  the  strain,  acting  in  opposition 
to  that  produced  by  the  action  of  the  powder.  Capt.  Rodman,  of 
the  U.  S.  service,  was  the  first  to  successfully  apply  this  method. 

It  will  be  seen,  from  the  following  table,  that  the  endurance  of 
guns,  cast  hollow,  greatly  surpassed  those  cast  solid,  in  every  case, 
where  both  were  cast  in  pairs,  at  the  same  time  and  from  the 
same  material. 


DESCRIPTION. 

ROUNDS   FIRED. 

Date. 

Cast  .solid. 

Cast  hollow. 

1849 
1851 
1851 

First  pah-,  8-inch, 
Second  pair,  8-incli, 
Third  pah-,  10-inch, 

Total  nunihm-  of  fires, 

85 
73 

20 

251 

1500 
249 

178 

2000 

V^^EIGIITS   AND    MEASURES. 

Measures  of  Length. 


Inches. 

Feet. 

Yards.        'Rods  or  Poles. 

Furlongs. 

Mile. 

12 

36 

198 

7920 

63360 

1 
3 

m 

600 
52S0 

1 

5i                          1 
220          !                40 
1760          1              320 

1 
8 

1 

The  inch  was  formerly  divided  into  three  parts,  called  barley- 
corns, and  also  into  12  parts  called  lines,  neither  of  which  denomi- 
nations is  now  in  common  use.     Scales  and  measuring  rules  are 


generally  divided  into  inches,  quarters,  eighths,  and  sixteenths ; 
or  into  inches  and  decimal  parts ;  the  latter  of  these  divisions  is 
used  in  the  Ordnance  Department. 

For  surveying  land :   7.92  inches  =  1  link,  >  Gnnter's 

100  links  =  4  poles,  or  22  yards,  or  66  feet.     3    chain. 
For  map  making :   Chains  are  often  made  of  50  links,  each  1  foot  in  length. 
For  measuring  ropes  and  soundings :   1  fathom  =  6  feet. 

1  cable's  length  =  120  fathoms. 
For  measuring  doth  ;   1  nail  =  2i  inches  =  l-16th  of  a  yard. 
1  quarter  =  4  nails. 
1  yard  ^  4  quarters. 
1  ell  English  =  5  quarters. 
For  measuring  horses:   1  hand  =  4  inches. 
Geographical  measure:   1  degree  of  a  great  circle  of  the  earth  =  69.77  miles. 

1  geographical  or  nautical  mile  =  l-60th  of  a  degree  of 

the  earth  =  2025  yards. 
1  nautical  league  =  3  miles. 
Neic  French  system. — The  basis  of  the  new  French  system  of  measures  is  the  mea- 
sure of  a  meridian  of  the  earth,  a  quadrant  of  which  is  10,000,000  metres,  measured 
at  the  temperature  of  32°  Fahr.  The  multiples  and  divisions  of  it  are  decimal,  viz  : 
1  metre  =  10  decimetres  =  100  centimetres  =  1,000  millimetres  =  39.3707971  English 
inches,  or  3.2809  feet. 

Road  measure. — Myriametre  =  10,000  metres.     Kilometre  =  1,000  metres.     Deca- 
metre =  10  metres.     Metre  =  0.51317  toise. 

According  to  Capt.  Kater's  comparison,  1  metre  =  39.37079  English  inches. 

Measures  of  Surface. 

Square  measure.     144    square  inches  =  1  square  foot. 

9    square  feet  =  1  square  yard. 
Land  measure.        30i  square  yards  =  1  s(iuare  perch  or  pole. 
40    perches  =  1  rood. 
160    perches  ==  4  roods  =  L  acre  =  10  square  chains.    (Gunter's) 

=  4,840  square  yards  =  70  yards  square  nearly. 
640    acres  =  1  square  mile. 

Measures  of  Solidity. 

Cubic  or  solid  measure.    1  cubic  foot  =  1,728  cubic  inches. 

1  cubic  yard  =  400, .56  cubic  inches  =  27  cubic  feet. 
Measuring  stone.     In  different  parts  of  the  United  States  the  perch  of  stone  de- 
notes a  different  quantity,  but  it  is  usually  24J  cubic  feet. 

Measuring  wood.     1  cord  is  a  prism  4  ft.  square  and  8  ft.  long  =  128  cubic  feet. 


134 


Measures  of  Capacity. 
Liquid  Measure. 


Gills. 

Pints. 

Quarts. 

Gallon. 

4 
8 
32 

1 
2 
8 

1 
4 

1 

The  standard  gallon  of  the  United  States  is  the  old  wine  gallon,  which  measured 
231  cubic  inches,  and  contains  (as  determined  by  Mr,  Hassler),  58.373  troy  grains,  or 
8.3388822  avoirdupois  ijounds,  of  distilled  water  at  the  maximum  density  (390.83 
Fahr.)  ;  the  barometer  lieiug  at  30  inches. 

A  cubic  foot  contains  7.48  gallons. 

A  box  6  X  6  X  G.42  inches  contains  1  gallon. 

A  box  4  X  4  X  3.61  inches  contains  1  quart. 

Dry  Measure. 


Pints. 

(Quarts. 

Gallons. 

Pecks. 

Bushel. 

2 

1 

8 

4 

1 

- 

16 

8 

2 

1 

64 

32 

8 

4 

1 

The  standard  bushel  of  the  United  States  is  the  "Winchester  bushel,  which  mea- 
sures 2150.4  cubic  inches,  and  contains  54.3391.89  troy  grains,  or  77.627413  lbs.  avoir- 
dupois, of  distilled  water,  under  the  circumstances  above  stated. 

A  cubic  yard  contains  21.69  bushels. 

A  cylinder  14  in   diam.  x  14  in.  deep  J  ^,,„tai„,  j  i^u.hel. 
Or  a  box  16  x  16.8  x  8  inches  3 

A  box  12  X  11.2  X  8  inches  contains  h  bushel. 
A  box  8  X  8.4  X  8  inches  contains  1  peck. 

N.  B.— It  will  be  observed  that  the  pint,  quart  and  gallon  of  dry  measure,  are  not 
the  same  as  for  liquid  measure. 

Measures  of  Weight. 
Avoirdupois  Weight. 


Drams. 

Ounces. 

Pounds. 

Quarters. 

Cwt. 

Ton. 

16 

1 

256 

16 

1 

7168 

448 

28 

1 

28672 

1792 

112 

4 

1 

573440 

35840 

2240 

80 

20 

1 

135 


The  standard  avoirdupois  pound  of  the  United  States,  as  determined  by  Mr.  Ilass* 
ler,  in  the  weight  of  27.7015  cubic  inches  of  distilled  water  weighed  in  air,  at  the 
temperature  of  the  maximum  density  (390.83)  ;  the  barometer  being  at  30  inches. 

Troy   Weight. 


Grains. 

Dwt. 

Ounce. 

■ 

Pound. 

24 

480 

5760 

1 

,               20 

240 

1 
12 

1 

The  pound,  ounce  and  grain  are  the  same  in  apothecaries'  and  troy  weight ;  in  the 
former,  the  ounce  is  divided  into  8  drachms,  the  drachm  into  3  scruples,  and  the 
Hcruple  into  20  grains. 

7000  troy  grains  =  1  lb.  avoirdupois. 
175  troy  pounds  =  144  lbs.  avoirdupois. 
175  troy  ounces  =  192  cz.  avoirdupois. 
437^-  troy  grains   =      1  oz.   avoirdupois. 

Physical  Data. 

Worlcing  Power  of  Men  and  Horses. 

Men. — A  foot  soldier  travels  in  1  minute, 

In  common  time,     90  steps  =    70  j'ards. 
In  quick  time,        110  steps  =    diQ  yards. 
In  doul)le  quick,     140  steps  =  109  yards. 
He  occupies  in  the  ranks  a  front  of  20  inches,  and  a  depth  of  13 
inches,  without  the  knapsack :  the  interval  between  the  ranks  is 
13  inches.     5  men  can  stand  in  a  space  of  1  square  yard.     Ave- 
rag'e  weight  of  men,  150  lbs.  each. 

A  man  travels,  without  a  load,  on  level  ground,  during  8i  hours 
a  day,  at  the  rate  of  3.7  miles  an  hour,  or  31:1  miles  a  day.  He 
can  carr}"  111  lbs.,  11  miles  in  a  day.  A  porter  going  short  dis- 
tances and  returning  unloaded,  carries  135  lbs.,  7  miles  a  day. 
He  can  carry  in  a  wheelbarrow  150  lbs  ,  10  miles  a  day. 

The  maximum  power  of  a  strong  man,  exerted  for  2^  minutes, 
may  be  stated  at  18,000  lbs.  raised  I  foot  in  a  minute. 

Mr.  Fieid^s  experiments,  1838. 
A  man  of  ordinary  strength  exerts  a  force  of  30  lbs.  for  10  hours 
a  day,  with  a  velocity  of  2^  feet  in  a  second  =  4, .500  lbs.  raised 
1  foot  in  a  minute  =  one-fiffh  the  work  of  a  horse. 


136 

Daily  allowance  of  water  for  a  man,  1  gallon,  for  all  purposes. 
Horses. — A  horse  travels  the  distance  of  400  3'arcls,  at  a  walk, 
in  4i  minutes ;  at  a  trot,  in  2  minutes ;  at  a  gallop,  in  1  minute. 
He  occupies  in  the  ranks  a  front  of  40  in.,  a  depth  of  10  feet; 
in  a  stall,  from  ^h  to  Ah  feet  front ;  at  picket,  3  feet  by  9.     Ave- 
rage weight  of  horses,  1,000  lbs.  each- 

A  horse  carrying  a  soldier  and  his  equipments  (say  225  lbs.), 
travels  25  miles  in  a  day  (8  hours). 

A  pack  horse  can  carry  250  to  300  lbs.,  20  miles  a  day. 
A  draught  horse  can  draw  1,600  lbs.  23  miles  a  day ;  weight  of 
carriage  included. 

Artillery  horses  should  not  be  made  to  draw  more  than  700  lbs. 
each,  the  weight  of  the  carriage  included. 

The  ordinary  work  of  a  horse  for  8  hours  a  day  may  be  stated 
at  22,500  lbs.  raised  1  foot  in  a  minute. 

In  a  horse  mill,  the  horse  moves  at  the  rate  of  3  feet  in  a  se- 
cond. The  diameter  of  the  path  should  not  be  less  than  25  or  30 
feet. 

Daily  allowance  of  water  for  a  horse,  4  gallons. 

Forage. — Hay,  pressed  in  bundles :  11  lbs.  to  the  cubic  foot. 

Oats:  40  lbs.  to  the  bushel,  or  32.14  lbs.  the  cubic 

foot. 
Wheat:  60  lbs.  to  the  bushel,  or  48.21  lbs  to  the 
cubic  foot. 
A  horse  j^oiver  in  steam  engines,  is  estimated  at  33,000  lbs. 
raised  1  foot  in  a  minute;  but  as  a  horse  can  exert  that  force  but 
6  hours  a  day,  one  steam  horse  power  is  o(iuivalent  to  that  of  4 
horses. 

The  number  of  horse  powers,  in  a  single  stroke  engine,  is  ex- 
pressed by  .0000238  d~  n  j^  I ;  d  being  the  diameter  of  the  piston 
in  inches,  n  the  number  of  strokes  in  a  minute,  I  the  length  of 
stroke  in  feet,  and  p  the  pressure  of  steam  on  a  square  inch  (di- 
minished usually  by  l-,5th  for  friction  and  inertia).  In  a  double 
stroke  engine  the  power  is  double  the  above. 


(■'^7 


Strength  of  Ice. 

Ice  2  inches  thick  will  bear  infantiy . 
Tee  4  inches  thick  will  bear  cavalry  or  light  guns. 
Ice  6  inches  thick  will  bear  heavy  field  guns. 
Ice  8  inches  thick  will  bear  24-pclr.  gun,  on  sledges ;  weight  not 
more  than  1,000  lbs.  to  a  square  foot. 

Velocity  of  Sound. 

At  the  temperature  of  33°  the  mean  velocity  of  sound  is  1,100 
feet  in  a  second.  It  is  increased  or  diminished  half  a  foot  for 
each  degree  of  temperature  above  or  below  33°. 

Velocity  and  Force  of  the   Wind. 


VEL(X;iTY. 

Pressure  on 
1  square  foot. 

Common  designations  of  the  force  of 

the  ivinds. 

In  1  hour. 

In  1  second. 

MUes. 

Feet. 

Lbs. 

] 

1.47 

0.005 

Hardly  perceptible. 

o 
3 

2  93 

4.40 

.020  7 
.044  5 

Just  perceptible. 

4 
5 

7'.3:3 

.079  ) 
.123  5 

Gentle,  pleasant  wind. 

10 
15 

14.67 
22.00 

.492  ? 
1.107  5 

Pleasant,  brisk  breeze. 

20 
25 

29.34 
36  67 

1.968  ? 
3.075  5 

Very  brisk. 

30 

44.01 

4.429  I 

Hicrh  wind. 

35 

51.34 

6.027  5 

40 
45 

58.68 
66.01 

7.873  ? 
9.963  5 

Very  high. 

50 

73.35 

12.300 

A  storm  or  tempest. 

60 

88.02 

17.715 

A  great  storm. 

80 

117.36 

31.490 

A  hurricane. 

100 

146.70 

49.200 

A  hurricane  that  tears  up  trees,  carries 
buildings  before  it,  etc. 

138 


Table  of  Natural  Sines  and  Tangents. 


PEG. 

MIX. 

SINE. 

TANGENT. 

PEG. 

MIN. 

•SINE. 

TANGENT. 

0 

10 

0029089 

0029089 

12 

30 

2164396 

2216947 

15 

0043033 

0043(;34 

45 

2206974 

2262769 

30 

0087205 

0087269 

13 

00 

2249511 

2308682 

45 

or.u)m-> 

01.3()i)07 

15 

2292004 

2354687 

1 

00 

01 74  .-.24 

0I74.-.51 

30 

2334454 

2400788 

15 

021  SI  49 

()2K>-201 

45 

2376859 

2446984 

30 

()2t;i7r.9 

02018.-.:) 

14 

00 

2419219 

2493280 

45 

0305385 

0::!05.-j28 

15 

2461533 

2539676 

2 

00 

034^995 

0349208 

30 

2503800 

2586176 

15 

0;i92598 

0392901 

45 

2546019 

2632780 

30 

04 30 J  94 

0436609 

15 

00 

2588190 

2675)492 

45 

047U781 

0480334 

15 

2630312 

2726313 

3 

00 

0523360 

0524078 

30 

2672384 

2773245 

15 

0560928 

0567841 

45 

2714404 

2820292 

30 

0610485 

0611626 

16 

00 

2756374 

2867454 

45 

0654031 

0655435 

15 

2798290 

2914734 

4 

00 

0697565 

0699268 

30 

2840153 

2962135 

15 

0741085 

0743128 

45 

2881963 

3009658 

30 

0784591 

07870 17 

17 

00 

2923717 

3057307 

45 

0828082 

0830it:36 

15 

296.5416 

3105083 

5 

00 

0871557 

0^748,-7 

30 

3007058 

31.32988 

15 

091.5016 

091,-871 

45 

3048643 

3201025 

30 

0!C,84.18 

0!l(i2890 

18 

00 

3090170 

3249197 

45 

1001H81 

1000947 

15 

3131638 

3297505 

6 

00 

104  .-.285 

1051042 

30 

3173047 

3345953 

15 

108^009 

1095178 

45 

3214395 

3394543 

30 

1132032 

11393.56 

19 

00 

32.55682 

3443276 

45 

1175;i74 

1183578 

15 

3296906 

3492156 

7 

00 

1218693 

1227846 

30 

33.38059 

3541186 

15 

1261990 

1272161 

45 

3379167 

3590367 

30 

1305262 

1316525 

20 

00 

3420201 

3639702 

45 

1348509 

1360940 

15 

3461171 

3689195 

8 

00 

1391731 

1405408 

30 

3502074 

3738847 

15 

1434926 

1449931 

45 

3542910 

3788661 

30 

1478094 

1494510 

21 

00 

3583679 

3838640 

45 

1.521234 

ir,;j9M7 

15 

3624.380 

3888787 

9 

00 

15(i4345 

l-iKirM 

30 

366.5012 

3939105 

15 

1G07'!2(; 

KI-JSCOIJ 

45 

3705574 

3989595 

30 

]G.-j()47(; 

l(i73  rj6 

22 

00 

3746066 

4040262 

45 

1693495 

17l8:il4 

15 

3786486 

4091108 

10 

00 

1736482 

1763270 

30 

3826834 

4142136 

15 

1779435 

]8082'.)5 

45 

3867110 

4193.348 

30 

1822355 

1853390 

23 

00 

3907311 

4244748 

45 

1865240 

1898559 

15 

3947439 

4296339 

11 

00 

1908090 

1943803 

30 

3987491 

4348124 

15 

19.50903 

1989124 

45 

4027467 

4400105 

30 

1993(>79 

2034.523 

24 

00 

4067366 

4452287 

45 

2036418 

2080003 

15 

4107189 

4504672 

12 

00 

2079117 

2125566 

30 

4146932 

4557263 

15 

2121777 

2171213 

45 

4186597 

4610063 

i;;9 


DEG. 

MIK. 

SINE. 

TANGENT. 

DEG. 

MIN. 

SINE. 

T.\NGENT. 

2o 

00 

4226183 

4663077 

50 

00 

7650444 

11917.536 

30 

4305111 

4769755 

30 

7716246 

12130970 

26 

00 

4383711 

4877326 

51 

00 

■;  77 1460 

12348972 

30 

4461978 

4985816 

30 

7^26082 

12571723 

27 

00 

4539905 

5095254 

!   52 

00 

7^80108 

12799416 

30 

46(7486 

5205671 

30 

79:53.533 

130322.54 

28 

00 

4694716 

5317094 

53 

00 

79863.55 

13270448 

30 

477158S 

5429557 

30 

8038569 

13514224 

29 

■  00 

4848096 

5543091 

54 

00 

8090170 

13763819 

30 

4924236 

5657728 

30 

8:41155 

14019483 

30 

00 

5000000 

5773503 

!   55 

00 

8191.520 

14281480 

30 

.  5075384 

5890450 

i 

30 

8241262 

14550090 

31 

00 

5150381 

6008600 

1   56 

00 

8290376 

1482.5610 

30 

5224986 

6128008 

1 

30 

8338858 

15108352 

32 

00 

5299193 

6248604 

i   5'^ 

00 

8386706 

15398650 

30 

5372996 

6370703 

1 

30 

8433914 

15696856 

33 

00 

5446390 

6494076 

i   58 

00 

8480481 

16003345 

30 

5519370 

66I6806 

30 

8526402 

16313517 

34 

00 

5591929 

6745085 

59 

00 

8.571673 

16642795 

30 

5664062 

6872810 

30 

8616292 

16976631 

35 

00 

5735764 

7002075 

i   60 

00 

8660254 

17320508 

30 

5^ 07030 

7132931 

i   61 

00 

8746197 

18040478 

36 

00 

5877853 

7265425 

!   62 

00 

8829476 

18807265 

30 

5948228 

7399611  1 

j   63 

00 

8910065 

19626105 

37 

00 

6018150 

7535541  1 

64 

00 

8!^87940 

20503028 

30 

6087614 

76732/0 

65 

00 

9063078 

2144.5069 

38 

00 

6156615 

7812856 

66 

00 

913.54.'i5 

22460368 

30 

6225146 

7954359 

67 

00 

9205049 

23558.524 

39 

00 

6293204 

8097840 

68 

00 

927 18.39 

24750869 

30 

6360782 

8243364 

69 

00 

9335804 

260.50891 

40 

00 

6427876 

8390996  i 

70 

00 

9396926 

27474774 

30 

6494480 

8540807  1 

71 

00 

9455186 

29042109 

41 

00 

6560590 

8692867 

72 

00 

9510.565 

30776835 

30 

.  6626200 

8847253  j 

73 

00 

9563048 

32708526 

42 

00 

6691306 

9004040  ] 

74 

00 

9612617 

34874144 

30 

6755902 

9163312  I 

75 

00 

965i^258 

37320508 

43 

00 

6819984 

9325151 

76 

00 

9702957 

40107809 

30 

6883546 

9489646 

77 

00 

9743701 

433147.59 

44 

00 

6946584 

9659888 

78 

00 

9781476 

47046.301 

30 

7009093 

9826972 

79 

00 

9816272 

5144.5540 

45 

00 

7071068 

10000000 

80 

00- 

9848078 

56712818 

30 

7132504 

10176074 

81 

00 

98768e3 

63137515 

46 

00 

7193398 

1035.5303 

82 

00 

9902681 

711.53697 

30 

7253744 

10537801 

83 

00 

9925462 

81443464 

47 

00 

7313537 

10723687 

84 

00 

9945219 

9514.3645 

30 

7372773 

10913085 

85 

00 

9961947 

1143005-JO 

48 

00 

7431448 

11106125 

66 

00 

9'^7.-641 

143006660 

30 

7489557 

11302944 

87 

00 

9986295 

190811370 

49 

00 

7547096 

11. "103684 

88 

00 

9993908 

286362530 

30 

76U4060 

11708496 

89 

00 

9998477 

572899620 

90 

00 

10000000 

Infinite. 

141 


APPENDIX 


Instructions  to  Ordnance  Officers  in  the  Field. 

The  appointment  of  Brig'ade  Ordnance  Officers  liaviuo^  been  authorized, 
the  following  Instructions  are  substituted  for  those  of  May  20,  1862: 

1st.  The  Chief  of  Ordnance  of  an  army  corps,  and  ordnance  officers 
of  separate  commands,  will  correspond  with  the  Chief  of  the  Bureau  of 
Ordnance  relative  to  supplies  of  ordnance  and  ordnance  stores,  with  the 
commands  to  which  they  are  attached.  Requisitions  made,  whether  for 
money  or  stores,  will  be  approved  by  the  General  commanding. 

2d.  The  division  ordnance  officers  will  correspond  w^ith  the  Chief  of 
Ordnance  of  the  army  corps  to  which  the  divisions  are  attached,  and  ob- 
tain supplies  through  him.  They  will  be  responsil)le  for  the  property 
under  their  charge,  and  make  weekly  reports  of  ammunition  on  hand 
(consolidated  from  brigade  reports)  to  this  office. 

3d.  Brigade  ordnance  officers  Avill,  Avith  the  approval  of  the  division 
ordnance  officer,  obtain  one  or  more  wagons  for  each  regiment  in  their 
brigade,  as  ordnance  wagons.  These  wagons  wdll  be  separate  from  the 
train  of  wagons  for  reserve  ammunition  of  the  division,  and  will  be 
marked  with  the  name  of  the  regiment  to  which  they  are  assigned,  and 
will  be  placed  in  charge  of  the  Ordnance  Sergeant  of  the  regiment.  The 
wagons  will  be  covered,  if  possible,  with  painted  cloth  covers,  for  secu- 
rity against  the  weather,  and  each  wagon  Avill  be  supplied  with  a  spare 
tarpaulin.   These  wagons  will  habitually  follow  their  respective  regiments. 

4th.  On  the  eve  of  battle  the  division  ordnance  officer  will,  under 
direction  of  the  Chief  of  Ordnance  of  the  army,  station  the  ordnance 
wagons  at  the  point  selected  for  the  division  field  depot'of  ammunition, 
under  charge  of  the  senior  ordnance  officer  of  brigades.  He  will  keep 
himself  acquainted  with  the  movements  of  brigades,  and  cause  the  wa- 
gons of  any  brigade,  w^hich  may  be  detached,  to  folloAv  the  movements 
of  the  brigade.  Brigade  ordnance  officers  will  make  weekly  reports  of 
ammunition  on  hand,  to  the  division  ordnance  officers. 


142 

5th.  The  Ordnance  Sergeants,  togetlier  a\  itli  the  dt'tuils  hohitually  as- 
signed to  them  from  their  regiments,  Avill,  under  the  direction  of  the  bri- 
gade ordnance  officers,  constitute  a  corps  deA'oted  as  well  to  the  preserva» 
lion  of  the  captured  and  other  ordnance  stores,  as  to  the  supplies  of  am- 
munition of  the  various  regiments.  One  man  of  each  detail  should  fol- 
low the  movements  of  the  regiment,  to  ascertain  its  wants  and  commu- 
nicate with  the  field  depot.  The  habitual  details  from  each  regiment 
should  be  augmented  before  a  battle,  to  not  less  than  six  men  from  each. 
The  ammunition  wagons,  their  loads  temporarily  removed,  will,  as  cir- 
cumstances favor,  be  employed  to  carry  to  the  rear  such  arms  and  other 
captured  stores  as  are  left  upon  the  battle  field. 

6th.  Especial  care  must  be  taken  in  selecting  competent,  prompt  and 
efficient  men  for  the  duties  of  Ordnance  Sergeants.  They  may  be  re- 
moved for  cause,  and  new  appointments  ordered,  on  the  application  of 
the  division  ordnance  officers,  through  the  Chief  of  Ordnance  of  the 
army  corps,  by  the  Commanding  General. 

7th.  The  ammunition  wagons  to  each  regiment  will  not  su]uM,sede  the 
necessity  for  division  supply  trains. 

Duties  of  Ordnance  Sergeants. 

1st.  To  obey  the  directions  of  the  division  ordnance  officer,  received 
through  the  brigade  ordnance  officer,  or  of  the  brigade  ordnance  officel" 
(if  the  brigade  is  a  separate  command),  in  all  rclutive  to  care  and  preser- 
vation of  arms,  and  duties  connected  therewith. 

2d.  To  take  charge  of  all  suitplitis,  arms  and  ammunition  of  the  regi- 
ment, and  make  returns  of  the  same  according  to  "  Ordnance  Regula- 
tions." 

Issues  to  be  made  on  written  requisitions  approved  by  the  Colonel,  or 
commanding  officer  of  the  regiment;  v.hich  requisitions  are  to  be  tiled 
with  his  "  return  of  property." 

3d.  To  take  charge  of  the  ordnance  Avagon  or  wagons  attached  to  each 
regiment,  and  to  see  that  it  always  contain.s  at  least  15  rounds  iwr  man  of 
the  regiment — surplus  arms  or  accoutrements  to  be  turned  over  to  the 
brigade  or  division  ordnance  officer. 

4th.  To  supervise  the  condition  of  the  arms  of  the  regimen*,  and  get 
a  detail  of  at  least  two  mechanics  to  assist  him  in  the  necessary  repairs 
to  the  arms ;  an  account  of  these  repairs  to  be  kept,  as  far  as  possible, 
against  each  man  of  the  regiment.  Repairs  to  be  made  on  the  order  of 
the  Colonel  of  the  regiment. 


143 

5th.  To  take  charge  of  the  arms  and  accoutrements  of  the  sick  of  the 
regiment  in  hospitals,  which  will  be  kept  until  the  sick  are  sent  to  the 
general  hospital,  when  their  arms  will  be  turned  over  to  the  division  de- 
pots, through  the  brigade  ordnance  officer. 

6th.  In  battle,  it  will  be  the  duty  of  the  Ordnance  Sergeants  to  remain 
with  the  ammunition  Avagons,  and  act  with  the  details  assigned  to  them 
from  the  regiments,  under  the  orders  of  the  ordnance  officer,  in  supplying 
the  troops  with  ammunition,  collecting  arms  of  the  killed  and  wounded, 
and  securing  captured  arms  and  ammunition. 

J.  GORGAS, 

Col.,  Chf.  of  Ord. 
Approved : 

G.  W.  EANDOLPH, 

Secretary  of  JIar. 
July  1,  1862. 


[No.  2.] 
Relative  to  Returns  of  Ordnance  Stores. 

I.  Returns  for  ordnance  and  ordnance  stores  issued  to  troops,  will  be 
made  quarterly  on  the  31st  March,  30th  June,  3Gth  September  and  31st 
December,  according  to  Form  I,  "Ordnance  Regulations,"  as  follows: 

II.  For  all  ordnance  stores — such  as  arms,  accoutrements,  equipments 
and  ammunition  in  the  hands  of  a  regiment  or  battalion,  including  the 
supplies  carried  in  the  ordnance  wagon  of  the  regiment — by  the  Colonel 
of  the  regiment,  assisted  by  his  Ordnance  Sergeant. 

III.  For  all  ordnance  stores — such  as  artillery  harness,  equipments, 
accoutrements  and  ammunition  in  the  possession  of  field  batteries — by 
the  Captains  of  batteries. 

IV.  For  ordnance  and  ordnance  stores  at  posts  or  garrisons — by  the 
Commanding  Officer,  assisted  by  his  Ordnance  Sergeant. 

V.  For  ordnance  stores  in  the  division  and  army  trains — by  the  Divi- 
sion Ordnance  Officer  and  by  the  Assistant  to  the  Chief  of  Ordnance  of 
the  army. 


U4 

VI.  Invoices  to  show  what  has  been  receiyed,  and  receipts  for  issues, 
must  accoiiipauy  the  "Returns,"  and  the  line  of  "Expenditures"  must 
mention  the  actions  or  practice  causing  the  expenditure ;  and  wliere  am- 
munition or  stores  are  lost,  proper  evidence  and  explanation  must  be 
furnished,  attached  to  the  return. 

VII.  In  many  cases  captains  of  infantry  companies  have  given  re- 
ceipts for  their  arms  and  equipments.  In  such  cases  the  Colonel  of  the 
regiment  to  Avhich  the  company  belongs,  should  give  a  receipt  for  the 
property  in  the  possession  of  the  company  commander,  at  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  regiment,  making  the  necessary  expenditures  for  property 
lost,  worn  out  and  expended  on  the  regimental  returns.  Where  property 
has  bctni  furnished  l)y  a  State  or  by  the  company  themselves,  it  will  be 
accounted  for  on  a  separate  return  by  the  company  commander,  a  re- 
mark to  that  effect  being  made  in  the  regimental  return. 

VIII.  Wherever  there  are  field  depots,  with  workmen  attached,  the 
usual  monthly  summary  statement  of  work  done,  should  be  transmitted. 
(See  Form  29,  "  Ordnance  Regulations.") 

J.  GORGAS, 

Col.,  Chief  of  Ordnance. 
August  1,  1862. 

Ordnance  and  Ordnance  Stores. 

The  general  denomination,  "  Ordnance  and  Ordnance  Stores,'^  compre- 
hends all  cannon,  howitzers,  mortars,  cannon  balls,  shot  and  shells,  for 
the  land  service;  all  gun  carriages,  mortar  beds,  caissons  and  travelling 
forges,  with  their  equipments;  and  all  other  apparatus  and  machines  re- 
quired for  the  service  and  manoeuvres  of  artillery,  in  garrisons,  at  sieges, 
or  in  the  field ;  together  with  the  materials  for  their  construction,  preser- 
vation and  repair.  Also,  all  small  arms,  side  arms  and  accoutrements, 
for  the  artillery,  cavalry,  infantry  and  riflemcm ;  all  ammunition  for  ord- 
nance and  small  arms,  and  all  stores  of  expenditure,  for  the  service  of 
the  various  arms;  materials  for  the  construction  and  repair  of  ordnance 
buildings;  utensils  and  stores  for  laboratories,  including  standard  weights, 
gauges  and  measures ;  and  all  other  tools  and  utensils  required  for  ord- 
nance duty.  The  ordinary  articles  of  camp  equipage  and  pioneers'  tools, 
such  as  axes,  spades,  shovels,  mattocks,  &c.,  are  not  embraced  as  ord- 
nance supplies. 

The  ordnance  department  also  for  the  present  furnishes  knapsacks, 
canteens  and  haversacks,  which  belong  properly  to  camp  equipage. 


146 


Rates  of  Prices  of  Guns,  Carriages,  8fc. 

Bronze  guns  and  howitzers  cost  from  65  to  80  cents  per  pound.  In 
peace  they  cost  about  45  cents.  Cast  iron  guns  and  howitzers  cost  from 
7^  to  9  cents  per  pound.  In  peace  less.  To  rifle  a  gun  costs  from  20  to 
30  dollars.  Field  carnages  cost  about  $  425.  Field  caissons  cost  about 
$  450.     In  peace  they  cost  much  less. 

The  subjoined  tables  of  rates  refer  to  peace.  At  present  the  cost  is 
eonsidierably  increased,  in  many  instances  doubled. 


146 


Rates  of  prices  of  Small  Arms  and  Accoutrements. 


PERCUSSION  LOCK. 

PARTS. 

Musket. 

Rifle. 

Pistol. 

D.  C. 

D.  C. 

D.  C. 

Barrel  with  sight,  without  breech, 

4  90 

5  28 

2  40 

Breech  screw,             .... 

12 

12 

09 

Bayonet  or  band  Btud, 

01 

Tang  screw,               .                   .                   .                   . 

06 

06 

05 

Breech  sight,               .... 

07 

Cone,                            .                   .                   .                   . 

11 

11 

11 

Lock  plate,                 .... 

60 

CO 

48 

Tumbler,                     .                   .                   .                   . 

32 

32 

30 

Tumbler  screw,         .... 

04 

04 

04 

Bridle,                         .                  .                  .                  . 

19 

19 

17 

Sear,                            .                  .                  .                  . 

24 

24 

20 

Sear  spring,                ... 

12 

12 

10 

Main  spring,               .... 

32 

32 

30 

Lock  screws,  each,    .                  -                  .                  . 

04 

04 

04 

Hammer,                     .... 

72 

72 

54 

Side  plate  (with  band  for  pistol), 

03 

12 

48 

Side  screws,  each,      .... 

05 

05 

04 

Upper  band,                .... 

46 

54 

Middle  band,               .                  .                  .                  . 

28 

Lower  band,                .... 

18 

22 

Upper  band  spring,    .... 

11 

11 

Middle  band  spring. 

10 

Lower  band  spring. 

10 

10 

Guard  plate,                .... 

50 

60 

42 

Guard  plate  screws,  each, 

04 

04 

02 

Guard  bow  without  swivels, 

36 

42 

24 

Guard  bow  nut,  each. 

02 

02 

02 

Swivels  and  rivets,  each, 

12 

12 

Trigger, 

14 

14 

11 

Trigger  screw,            .                   .                   .                   . 

02  • 

02 

02 

Butt  plate,                  .... 

36 

63 

35 

Butt  plate  screw,  each, 

03 

03 

03 

Ramrod,                       .                   .                   .                   . 

60 

60 

30 

Ramrod  spring,          .... 

14 

14 

Ramrod  wires,            .... 

01 

01 

Ramrod  stop,              .... 

01 

01 

Stock,                         .                  .                  .                  . 

1  74 

2  22 

1  08 

Bayonet,                     .                  .                  .                  . 

1  63 

Bayonet  clasp,           .... 

19 

Bayonet  clasp  screw, 

02 

Box  plate,                  .... 

- 

86 

Box  catch,                  .... 

- 

06 

Box  spring,                 -                   -                   - 

- 

12 

Box  spring  screw,      .... 

— 

02 

Box  screw,  each,        .... 

- 

03 

Ramrod  swivel  and  rivet, 

Ramrod  swivel  and  rivet  screw, 

- 

- 

30 

Sword  bayonet  blade. 

- 

2  00 

02 

Sword  bayonet  hilt  without  clasp. 

- 

2  00 

Sight  base,                 .                 .                 .                 . 

40 

147 


Prices  of  Small  Arms — Continued. 


PERCUSSION  LOCK. 

PARTS. 

Musket. 

Rifle. 

Pistol. 

D.  C. 

D.  C. 

Long  branch  (leaf),   -                  -                  -                  - 

17 

Short, 

24 

Sight  screws,  each,    - 

03 

Sight  complete, 

1  00 

Barrel  complete, 

5  16 

5  48 

Lock  complete. 

2  70 

2  70 

Guard  complete. 

1  27 

1  49 

Bayonet  complete,     - 

1  95 

Box  plate  complete, 

- 

- 

1  16 

Arm  complete, 

15  60 

15  90 

Appendages  for  all  arms : 

Screw  driver  and  cone  wrench. 

Wiper. 

Ball  screw. 

Spring  vise. 

Bullet  mould  (rifle  calibre). 

148 


Swords  and  Sabres. 


TJ 

•^^- 

"2 

^ 

1 

O 

II 

2« 

OS 

PARTS. 

aj 

w 
>> 

li 

a." 
is 

31 

? 

m 

.a 

9) 

o 

K 

< 

S 

Y-K 

s 

D.    C. 

D.    C. 

D.  C. 

D.    C. 

D.  r. 

n.  c. 

(Gripe,     - 

40 

34 

- 

- 

48 

40 

Hilt.    ^Head,      - 

1  40 

88 

1  74 

3  20 

1  00 

88 

(Guard,    - 

2  20 

1  16 

_ 

_ 

2  40 

88 

Blade, 

5  60 

3  96 

4  26 

4  26 

4  40 

3  84 

r  Mouth  piece,     - 

40 

20 

Body, 

2  40 

2  00 

1  00 

1  24 

1  32 

I  00 

Scabbard.  <  Band.s  and  ring.s. 
Ferule  and  stud, 
I  Tip, 
Arm  complete,    - 

1  20 

1  20 

30 

26 

50 

80 

70 

50 

_ 

_ 

50 

50 

70 

50 

14  00 

10  00 

8  00 

10  00 

11  00 

8  00 

Accoutrements — {Black  Leather  Belts). 


Part.s. 

"5 

H 

. 

% 

« 

< 

o 

« 

D.  C. 

T>.  C. 

D.  C. 

D.    C. 

Cartridge  box,              .           .           .           -           - 

1  75 

- 

- 

1  60 

Cartridge  box  belt,      - 

75 

liayonet  scabbard  and  frog. 

75 

Waist  belt  (private's), 

60 

- 

- 

60 

Cap  pouch  and  pick, 

65 

- 

65 

65 

Gun  sling. 

- 

Sabre  belt. 

- 

1  35 

1  35 

Sword  belt, 

- 

1  00 

Carbine  or  gun  sling, 

- 

- 

1  25 

Powder  flask  (tin),      - 

30 

- 

30 

30 

Canteen. 

25 

Canteen  strap. 

20 

20 

25 

25 

Knapsacks, 

3  25 

3  25 

3  25 

3  25 

Haversacks,      ------ 

20 

20 

20 

149 


Ordnance  Depots  and  Officers. 


Col.  J.  Gorgas, 

Chief  of  Ordnance,     - 

Richmond,  Va. 

Maj.  S.  Stansbury, 

Arsenal, 

Richmond,  Va. 

Capt.  G.  T.  Getty, 

Ordnance  Depot. 

Lynchburg,  Va. 

Lt.  Col.  J.  A.  d'Lagnol, 

Arsenal  and  Armorj', 

Fayetteville,  N.  C 

Commanding  officer,    - 

Ordnance  Depot, 

Wilmington,  N.  C. 

Commanding  officer,    - 

Ordnance  Depot, 

Knoxvillc,  Tenn. 

Maj.  F.  L.  Childs, 

Arsenal, 

Charleston,  S.  C. 

Lt.  Col.  G.  W.  Rains, 

Arsenal, 

Augusta,  Ga. 

Maj.  R.  W.  Cuyler,      - 

Arsenal, 

Macon,  Ga. 

Commanding  officer,    - 

Ordnance  Depot, 

Savannah,  Ga. 

F.  C.  Humphreys,  M.  S.  K..    - 

Ordnance  Depot, 

Columbus,  Ga. 

Capt.  J.  L.  Henderson, 

Ordnance  Depot, 

Selma,  Ala. 

Commanding  officer,    ■ 

Ordnance  Depot, 

Mobile.  Ala. 

C.  G.  Wagner,  M.  S.  K.          ^ 

Ordnance  Depot, 

Montgomery,  Ala. 

M.  Gayle,  M.  S.  K.       - 

Arsenal, 

Mt.  Vernon,  Ala. 

Commanding  officer,    - 

Briarfield  Arsenal,      - 

Columbus,  Miss. 

